Rasmussen fears Irish could scupper enlargement dream

Date: 04/07/02

By Martin Banks

DANISH Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has admitted that a second Irish rejection of the Nice Treaty will jeopardise the whole enlargement process.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday (3 July), Rasmussen also said he would not allow the Danish EU presidency to be held 'hostage' to the current debate on farming reform.

He warned MEPs that failure to complete negotiations by December will result in 'long-term' postponement of enlargement.

Rasmussen said, however, that plans to admit up to ten countries to the EU by 2004 were particularly threatened by the 'unknown factor' of the Irish referendum, due to take place in October.

Latest polls show that the Irish may reject the treaty, which aims to prevent institutional paralysis in an enlarged EU of 25 members, for a second time following their initial rejection of it in June last year.

Rasmussen, whose government took over the EU presidency from Spain this week, said: 'Approval and ratification of the Nice Treaty is a prerequisite for completion of the enlargement process within the determined deadlines.

'The negotiations are taking place on the basis of the provisions of the treaty. Another 'No' vote in Ireland will jeopardise the entire process.'

Outlining Denmark's programme, called 'One Europe', Rasmussen said the Irish vote was one of three main obstacles to meeting the deadline of completing negotiations with the applicant countries by the end of the year. One possible stumbling block, he said, is the European Commission's proposal that farmers in new member states should receive just a quarter of the direct payments granted to their western counterparts - and for a decade - before reaching equal level.

Some candidate countries, such as Poland, object but Rasmussen said the Commission had 'struck the right balance' with its proposals.

He added: 'I will not allow us to be held hostage to the debate about direct payments to farmers. That would be a historic error of major dimensions.

'I cannot believe that any head of state will try to block enlargement over a squabble about a relatively modest amount of money.'

Another thorny issue, he said, was that of Cyprus. Turkey has warned it might annex northern Cyprus if a divided island is invited to join the EU.

On this, Rasmussen said the country had the right to join if, as expected, it closes the 31 'chapters' proving it has met the political and legal criteria for entry.

But he appealed to all parties involved, on both sides, to do their 'utmost' to find a solution to the problem.

Rasmussen, who was speaking in the Parliament for the first time, told members: 'I will not hide the fact that we are facing considerable challenges.

'But no one should doubt the determination, commitment and resolve of the Danish presidency.'

'Enlargement of the EU is the most important task facing the presidency.

'More than 40 years of communist rule in central and eastern Europe resulted in an unhappy division of Europe. It is this dark chapter of European history that we now have the opportunity to close.'

Rasmussen said the presidency's other priorities would include fighting illegal immigration, strengthening the EU's foreign and defence policy and tackling terrorism.

Denmark would also use its position at the EU's top table to strive for more transparency and openness in the Council of Ministers.

Rasmussen's fears about the outcome of the Irish vote were echoed by Commission President Romano Prodi, who told members: 'It is very important for the EU's future that there is a positive result.'

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has admitted that a second Irish rejection of the Nice Treaty will jeopardise the whole enlargement process.