Landmark decision reached regarding EU agricultural spending from 2007

France and Germany reached a landmark agreement on Thursday to curb European Union farm spending from 2007, unlocking the final phase of negotiations to enlarge the 15-nation bloc in 2004. It was the second breakthrough this week after Ireland voted in a referendum last Saturday to approve the Nice Treaty adopting EU institutions for an enlarged Union. Polish farmers are to start receiving direct subsidies from the EU budget in one year's time at the level of 25% of the sum EU member states currently receive, increasing to 100% by 2013. The key to the success of the deal was French President Chirac's assurance to Gerhard Schroeder of Germany that the EU budget's farm expenditure will not alter after 2007. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 1; Reuters) A.K.