Buzek stands by 2003 as Poland's target entry date to the European Union

Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek has insisted that Poland be treated equally with existing members of the EU, after its accession to the organization. Speaking to reporters after a debate in the European parliament on regional aid, Buzek said, "We expect funds per capita for the new member countries and their regions to be not less than for the present members." He continued, "Without this rule, it would be very difficult for us to catch up economically with the rest of the European Union." The prime minister said that he expects Poland to receive about 30% of the funds for all candidate countries, which is about euro 8 billion a year. He said he would like the financial support from Brussels to be spent initially on infrastructure projects such as motorways, railways and airports. Buzek also announced that the Polish government's target date for accession to the EU is still January 1st, 2003. Monday's statement by European Integration Minister, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, that the date would be put back a year was described by Buzek as a slight misunderstanding. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1/B2; Reuters) A.D.