Luxembourg, 12/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the basis of a progress report from the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), the Agriculture and Fisheries Council noted and accepted that more work was required on draft proposals to settle the Irish Box issue before agreement could be reached. At the meeting, Ireland was more amenable than in the past to reaching agreement, even if that means agreeing on the basis of a compromise solution drawn up by the Greek Presidency, but Spain in particular, but also Portugal, repeated their concerns about this politically sensitive issue and their criticisms of the Presidency document. Spain stressed it had had to put up with 17 years of discriminatory transition measures and could not agree to a sensitive area covering all, or even part, of the current Irish Box fishing zone. It is also hostile the reference period used in the Presidency document (1998-2002) because Spain was not allowed to fish in the region in those years. Portugal expressed concern about the expiry of transitional agreements with Spain that may now see additional Spanish fishing ships in Portuguese fishing zones. Work will continue on this issue at COREPER with the aim of reaching agreement, possibly in July.