Brussels, 14/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - France, Spain and Germany have acknowledged the complexity of negotiations which have just started on the financial perspectives 2007-2013, after a tripartite summit held on Monday in the Spanish capital. "The forthcoming financial perspectives 2007-2013 will be the subject of complex negotiations between the Member States of the European Union", said the head of the Spanish government, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, in a statement published after his meeting with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. "The German, Spanish and French governments feel that the negotiations underway should be carried out very constructively and co-operatively, to lead to a fair result which is acceptable to all Member States", reads the final statement.
Spain, the main beneficiary of aid of the EU of 15, hopes to obtain a very gradual result in terms of this aid in the context of the enlarged EU. Germany, the largest contributor to the European budget, together with five other large net contributors, is hoping for Community expenditure to be limited to 1% of European GDP.
Mr Chirac spoke of the willingness of the three countries to seek compromises acceptable to all on this dossier "Arrogance or willingness not to take others into account leads invariably to failure. This is not the state of mind in which we three find ourselves", said the French President at a press conference. Mr Chirac stressed that he could as easily understand Germany's point of view as Spain's. He reiterated French demands on the agricultural budget. He acknowledged that the three countries had "three different approaches" on the dossier of the forthcoming financial framework. "We will seek the best solution to reach as satisfactory a compromise as possible for all", he added. "This is the best solution, the best formula, the best method", said Mr Chirac. "Obviously, not everyone will have everything", he said. "But we will continue to reinforce Europe by seeking acceptable compromises", he concluded.