Brussels, 24/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council of Ministers will shortly (perhaps on 9 October) draw up letter of amendment N°1 to the draft budget 2010, providing for an increase of €95 million in commitment appropriations and €60 million in payment appropriations to support the Palestinian Authority and help with the reconstruction of Gaza. On 22 September, the EU Council budget committee reached agreement by qualified majority on the text. Three countries (Denmark, Spain and Portugal) will abstain. At this point, member states have not kept in the two other points in the letter of amendment N°1 presented by the Commission on 2 September (see EUROPE 9968): - putting in place a legal basis for possible accompanying measures in the banana sector (with a view to a possible trade agreement to be signed with the countries of Latin America); - €50 million in commitment appropriations (€20 million in payment) for the conclusion of an agreement at the Copenhagen climate change conference in December 2009. On this latter point, the Council says that it is “premature” to set a sum, and says that the issue is due to be considered once more at the second reading of the budget 2010 by the Council. (L.C./transl.rt)