Brussels, 13/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Spanish Presidency still hopes to reach agreement before the European Council of Barcelona of 15 and 16 March, on an agreed Union stance for the UN conference on financing development (Monterrey, 18-22 March), as major contribution by the Fifteen on the external aspects of the sustainable development strategy being pursued by the Union.
Since the failure of EU Foreign affairs Ministers to reach an agreement on a timetable increasing public aid from Member States (ADP) to reach the ultimate goal of 0.7% GDP recommended by the UN (see (EUROPE 11 & 12 March page 5), contacts are continuing between the capitals in order to rally Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark to the proposal for the Council compromise, which is still on the table. The Spanish Permanent Representative to the Union explained that it was a balanced proposal. He explained to the press on Tuesday that a procedure of silence was launched on Thursday at 12.h Which does not mention the word consent but the Presidency does not excluded arranging an emergency General Affairs council in Barcelona. He added that this! Compromise does not satisfy anyone (not even the Presidency and mentioned the difficulties that Spain would have in honouring its commitment to increase its APD over the next four years but that they did not exclude the possibility of modifying heir initial negotiation attitude. It is therefore a balanced proposal, he concluded and added that he hoped that the Netherlands and Sweden would nuance their position and not incite other to be afraid of compromising an agreement.
In addressing a press conference, the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi called for them to move on from fine words to action and give some body to the Millennium declaration: "It's a question of capital importance. A rhythm suitable to everyone was needed: to reach an average of
In addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, appealed for moving on from fine words to action to provide body to the millennium declaration: "It's a question of capital importance. It is necessary to find an acceptable rhythm for everyone: reach an average of 0.39% by 2006 with 0.33% as an intermediate stage (Editor's note corresponding to the current Community average) for those who don't reach the level. We need an agreement before Barcelona and in any case, before Monterrey so that we can keep our heads held high", he declared.