07/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - Questioned on Monday over negotiations on tax on savings, Frits Bolkestein declared he was "optimistic as to significant progress at the 21 January EcoFin Council". Observing that, at the second EcoFin Council of last December, genuine negotiations had taken place, whereas previously there had only been "exchanges of views", on the issue, the European Commissioner went on to say "that a genuine agreement is in the pipeline".