Spanish Prime Minister declares 2001 as "Poland Year in Spain" during visit

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar reiterated Spain's support for a speedy expansion of the European Union (EU) on his visit to Poland. At a joint press conference Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek said the ongoing consultations between the two countries would be pivotal to the transformation of the Polish agricultural sector. The two Prime Ministers agreed on the need for Poland to be promoted in Spain, and thus next year has been declared "Poland Year in Spain". The two governments signed a number of low profile agreements among them one that will regulate the social security benefits of Poles on contract work in Spain. A separate document to help Spain fight illegal immigration was also signed. (Rzeczpospolita, page A1, A5)