Athens hopeful of compromise at Berlin summit over 'Agenda 2000'

BRUSSELS 23/03/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The issue of the European Union's fiscal prospects over the next six years, as defined in "Agenda 2000", was among issues discussed by EU foreign ministers during their council meeting here yesterday and Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that despite differences between member-states, there is hope that the summit due to start in Berlin tomorrow can reach a compromise agreement.  Summing up Athens' positions on the issue, both Mr. Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said the agreement achieved on agricultural issues is satisfactory for the Greek side. On the question of the development of discussions on the EU's structural policies, the foreign ministry's leadership said proposals existing at the moment determine Structural Fund financing, for the next few years, between 200 and 220 billion euro, adding that the Greek side would be satisfied if the amount of financing to be agreed exceeds 216 billion euro.
What is also important for the Greek side is determining criteria by which EU subsidies will be provided by EU structural funds, as well as the regions these subsidies will concern.