Benelux countries determined to “correct” public presentation of Stability Pact agreement, Zalm says - Rasmussen expects agreement between Heads of State and Government (and also conclusions on services)

Brussels, 22/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The three Benelux countries fully support the agreement reached on Sunday evening on revision of the Stability Pact, but they are displeased about the way elements of the agreement were presented in some Member States and in part of the press, the Dutch finance minister, Gerrit Zalm, said in Brussels on Tuesday. “The way in which the result was presented to the public in some Member States and in some parts of the media has been one-sided. We want to put this right”, Mr Zalm said after the summit of Heads of Government belonging to the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR). According to Mr Zalm, the prime ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg intended, on Tuesday evening at the time when the work of the European Council on the Stability Pact opened, to issue a joint written declaration to the press with a view to “rebalance” the public's impression of the agreement. They mainly refuse to accept the idea that the Pact has been made more flexible. “If one takes a close look at Sunday's agreement, there are also specific elements that lean toward greater budgetary discipline. One must also remember that the agreement does not rule out any category of spending in the calculation of budgetary deficit”, Mr Zalm stressed. The minister also expects “major discussion” on the proposal for a Services Directive.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after the meeting of Liberal leaders that he was very pleased with the “very balanced” agreement on the Stability Pact. “There is a general agreement (between EU Heads of State and Government) that we should keep to Sunday's results. I don't expect a heated debate tonight”, Mr Rasmussen explained. Discussion on the Services Directive will no doubt be more lively, the head of the Danish government said. “There is clearly a widespread wish at the European Council for the current proposal to be amended. I believe this reality will be reflected in the final conclusions of the European Council”, Mr Rasmussen said.