Poland wins major concession as EU countdown continues

The EU has gone a long way to meet the demands of Polish negotiators. Rzeczpospolita disclosed that the final decision would be to provide Polish farmers with direct subsidies of 40% in 2004, 2005 and 2006, instead of 25%, 30% and 35% respectively, as had been proposed. The new regulations were issued by the Dutch, who occupy the EU presidency, and they concern all prospective EU members. Nevertheless, it is not the Union who will pay the difference, but the Polish budget. The money coming from the EU's funds remained unchanged - euro 800 million per year. An anonymous source said, "This was a long step in the negotiation process. When first proposed on 8 October, the move was criticized, now it has become the main element allowing Polish farming to be competitive". The Dutch have also announced that access to EU farming funds will be simplified. The proposals, which do not exhaust the list prepared by the Dutch, will be presented today. They are nonetheless, seen as final. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) K.Z.