Brussels, 28/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - As EUROPE mentioned briefly yesterday, the European Commission finally secured unanimous support from the Fifteen, at Monday's General Affairs Council, for the stance it proposes defending in Geneva in negotiations over the agriculture chapter of the Doha Development Agenda. Franz Fischler welcomed the fact, the next day, stressing the Union's determination to push ahead with the "substantial and progressive liberalisation of agricultural trade on balanced bases". A double concession, relating to export refunds, enable France to be reassured (gradual phasing out rather than abolition, no specific product mentioned, but only those of interest for developing countries), for a time. France made a point of stating, through a declaration to the minutes, that it would "ensure throughout negotiations" the respect of the mandate handed to the Commission and whose basis is strictly Agenda 2000. And stipulates that France's stance on the final outcome of negotiations in Geneva will depend on it.