Take your partners for the Brussels two-step
In Budapest, Prime Minister Leszek Miller and his counterparts from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia said they would take entry negotiations down to the wire at the EU summit in Copenhagen, in pursuit of the best possible deal. The four promised to stand shoulder to shoulder on the thorny issue of direct income support for their farmers, though each would fight his own corner on the broader financial terms of EU membership.
Miller admitted to reporters in Budapest that some key issues were likely to be unresolved by the time of the summit, as candidates press for the best possible terms. Referring to the negotiations he said, "We would like to use even the last minute." However, Miller's claim that the EU had a further €1.2 billion up its sleeve to offer the 10 candidate countries was greeted with consternation by EU officials. An EU source said, "The single greatest threat is that the Polish government is making a political miscalculation, putting their demands so high that they are unable to climb down."
On Tuesday, Germany poured cold water on hopes of a financial deal for new members being struck before the Copenhagen Summit. Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said, "I recognise the efforts by Denmark to put together this financial package," but it does not live up to our expectations.'
According to chief EU negotiator Jan Truszczyński, a "mutually acceptable compromise" could be sealed. "Money will probably have to be discussed in Copenhagen," he said.
By Thursday, EU president Denmark was warning candidate countries not to push too hard. "I would like to warn the candidate countries that they mustn't raise their demands at this point, or demand things that we are not able to give them," said Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "There is a real risk that, if we are not able to complete the negotiations in Copenhagen, the enlargement process will be delayed for several years." Meanwhile, Miller was continuing a whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe, visiting Spain, Italy, the Vatican and Sweden. Following his audience with the Pope, Miller said, "I expressed the opinion that the Vatican's support for integration is of vital importance in the final phase of negotiations, and serves Poland."
One preparation of a practical nature had already emerged as a potential snag, when it was revealed that procedural problems might lead to several months' delay in holding a membership referendum, the key question in which is likely to be, "Are you in favour of signing the EU accession treaty as it now stands?'' The problem is that the treaty may not be ready by the planned June date for the referendum.
Miller admitted to reporters in Budapest that some key issues were likely to be unresolved by the time of the summit, as candidates press for the best possible terms. Referring to the negotiations he said, "We would like to use even the last minute." However, Miller's claim that the EU had a further €1.2 billion up its sleeve to offer the 10 candidate countries was greeted with consternation by EU officials. An EU source said, "The single greatest threat is that the Polish government is making a political miscalculation, putting their demands so high that they are unable to climb down."
On Tuesday, Germany poured cold water on hopes of a financial deal for new members being struck before the Copenhagen Summit. Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said, "I recognise the efforts by Denmark to put together this financial package," but it does not live up to our expectations.'
According to chief EU negotiator Jan Truszczyński, a "mutually acceptable compromise" could be sealed. "Money will probably have to be discussed in Copenhagen," he said.
By Thursday, EU president Denmark was warning candidate countries not to push too hard. "I would like to warn the candidate countries that they mustn't raise their demands at this point, or demand things that we are not able to give them," said Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "There is a real risk that, if we are not able to complete the negotiations in Copenhagen, the enlargement process will be delayed for several years." Meanwhile, Miller was continuing a whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe, visiting Spain, Italy, the Vatican and Sweden. Following his audience with the Pope, Miller said, "I expressed the opinion that the Vatican's support for integration is of vital importance in the final phase of negotiations, and serves Poland."
One preparation of a practical nature had already emerged as a potential snag, when it was revealed that procedural problems might lead to several months' delay in holding a membership referendum, the key question in which is likely to be, "Are you in favour of signing the EU accession treaty as it now stands?'' The problem is that the treaty may not be ready by the planned June date for the referendum.
