Madrid, 01/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - What has been agreed has been agreed: the Spanish Presidency refuses to mix discussions over financing enlargement and the reform of the CAP, EU Council President, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Piqué, told a group of journalists from Brussels, when answering questions on the desire of the Netherlands to secure a commitment in the conclusions of the EU Summit before the end of the year over the dismantling of direct aid to farmers. Josep Piqué repeated that "we are committed to closing negotiations by the end of the year with 10 countries while respecting the acquis commmunautaire and the financial perspectives set in Berlin (…). The review of the financial perspectives after 2006 will be discussed when the time comes". "I respect the position of all Member States, respect what was agreed at the Laeken Summit". There must not be "intrusion" between the definition of the EU's common position on negotiations with candidate countries on agricultural policy and regional policy and the midway review of the agricultural policy that is to begin in June, he insisted. Spanish Prime Minister, Jose-Maria Aznar, had previously spoken along these lines, stressing that "we have made the commitment to take a decision (on enlargement) by the end of the year (…) This seems to me possible if at the same time we do not claim to take decisions on enlargement and those that will affect agricultural and regional policies" (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.7). Josep Piqué wanted to be optimistic over the achievement of this objective, even though "the electoral calendar in some countries may affect discussions", he acknowledged, implicitly referring to the French and German elections.
While stating that Spain did not intend taking advantage of its presidency to defend its interests, Spanish diplomats for now refuse to comment on the statistical effects of enlargement that would deprive many Spanish regions of the Structural Funds. Spain, however, opened Pandora's Box by placing this argument at the centre of the debate of the informal Gymnich-type meeting of foreign ministers, in Nychoping on 5 and 6 May of last year. "We hope we no longer need these funds, as that would mean that we have attained the objectives (in terms of wealth). But, even if we have come a long way, we still have a long way to go", is all Josep Piqué would declare. "We have no interest in receiving funds forever, but of becoming more prosperous", he added.