Brussels, 17/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers on 18 October in Luxembourg, during which France is expected to withdraw its criticism about the European Commission's tactic in WTO trade talks (see EUROPE 9049), Commissioner Peter Mandelson denied on Monday having crossed any “red lines” in his negotiating brief. In an interview with Le Monde, he says everything shows that they have remained within their mandate, mainly when it comes to Common Agricultural Policy (European) as reformed in June 2003. The European Commission must not of course act like a “secret sect”, he said, but must naturally have a certain amount of “tactical latitude”. He warned, however, that “any attempt at reducing this margin of manoeuvre could weaken the chances of success”. In the interview, the Commission expressed “surprise” at French criticism last week and defends the proposals he made to the WTO. “Any agreement concerning our agricultural spending will be accompanied by equivalent concessions from our partners”, he explained, assuring: “I do not envisage any difference compared to the central principles of our mandate”. “What we have proposed is intended to test our partners. It is an exploratory offer”, Mr Mandelson added. He asserted that “Member States endorsed, in October 2004, the principle of 'substantial' improvement in market access (…) to reactivate talks at the WTO. We were under the obligation to make an offer. I do not wish to be placed on the defensive without anything to propose”. He also recalled that the agricultural chapter is not the only subject of the Doha Round of talks. “In addition to agriculture, we must make progress on services and industrial goods. Nothing will be concluded until everything has been concluded”, he said.