Brussels, 04/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, it will be difficult for the Presidency to reach, as it had hoped, adoption by the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the conclusions on sharing costs for controlling illegal immigration and borders. Although the debate is not new between Member States, it was not until Wednesday that their Permanent Representatives were able to hold their first discussion on the guidelines proposed only the day before by the Commission (EUROPE of 3 June, p.12). Several Member States confirmed their position of principle. Some (mainly Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands) were more than reticent that the Council conclusions should mention the rise in the budget devoted to such policies in the next financial perspectives, after 2006. On the other hand, Spain, Greece and Italy strongly insist on sharing costs, as does the Commission. There is no real reaction on the proposal to increase the budget for the current period by EUR 140 million. "It is true it will be difficult for JHA ministers to come to an agreement", the Presidency admitted to reporters on Wednesday. At Thursday's Council, the Presidency will make the ministers get their heads down on this subject, even if they have to take it up again later, at the same time as the two other themes: asylum and immigration (EUROPE of 3 June, p.12). These texts would be examined again in Coreper and at the Scifa working group next week before, if possible, being adopted by the General Affairs Council, if the Fifteen come to an agreement before the Thessaloniki Summit.
Speaking to reporters in the morning, then a little later at Coreper, the Presidency was severely critical of the time it has taken for the Commission to present its three communications, considering this delay to be "unacceptable" as it has prevented the necessary preparatory work to be carried out in Council.