Polish negotiators continue to battle, but this could upset Copenhagen summit

The last week of the negotiations with the EU has just started. On Saturday, the government decided to continue fighting for higher direct subsidies, more financial assistance and to raise food production quotas. Unofficially it is said that subsidies, which equal real money for the budget, is what counts most in the talks. "I should warn the candidate countries not to submit unrealistic demands. If this happens, the negotiations in Copenhagen may not be closed," said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Nonetheless, Polish negotiators are demanding additional compensation for 2004. The government also intends to further negotiate the amount of direct subsidies for the Polish farmers. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1, A3) K.Z.