Brussels, 23/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - After Monday's meeting of its chefs de cabinets, the European Commission decided to defer for "several weeks" the adoption (foreseen for Wednesday, already one week behind schedule) of the reform proposals for Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The chefs de cabinet suggested the Commission should postpone examination of this dossier until 28 May. The Commission spokesperson confirmed that José Maria Aznar telephoned to Romano Prodi last weekend mainly to discuss the reform project with him. It is a highly sensitive project, since it provides for an average reduction of 40% fishing effort and gradual abolition of public aid (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.10). According to El Pais, Mr Aznar, supported by the French, Portuguese and Italian governments and Italy, is opposed to the adoption of the proposals by Commissioner Franz Fischler in their current form. The proposals will be "discussed in coming weeks", said Mr Prod's spokesman, adding that the report "had nothing to do with the French elections", and that it was "necessary to work more on this dossier". He also implicitly admitted that the reform is far from unanimous at the Commission and said: "it is in everyone's interest that the matter be perfectly settled and that we should take the time it needs".