EU foreign ministers focus on Commission resignation, 'Agenda 2000'

The Council of European Union Foreign Ministers, due to pave the way for the Berlin summit this week, began sessions here last night with reference to the European Commission's recent resignation.  The German EU presidency proposed a draft statement which may possibly be amended during discussion to follow at a later dinner, stressing that "a strong Commission is necessary with greater democratic legitimacy that will result from the European Parli ament's strengthened participation."  No agreement is expected on the pending issues contained in the "Agenda 2000", discussed by the Council, since all countries have "toughened" their positions in light of compromise proposals the German presidency has promised for the Berlin summit.
Referring to Greek positions on "Agenda 2000", namely, the reallocation of EU funds, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the existing system for own funds is satisfactory and must not change, while the agreement on agriculture must be maintain ed and solutions to be provided for structural funds will be decisive for the acceptance of the overall agreement by Greece.  "Greece is determined to pursue funds which are necessary for its developmental course and create new jobs," Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said, while Mr. Papandreou added: "We hope and believe that this package will be better than the
previous ones."  Mr. Papandreou will meet NATO Secretary General Javier Solana today and brief him on Greek positions regarding the crisis in Kosovo.  It was revealed that he will also request a postponement of any possible intervention until the Berlin summit is over.