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Date: 18/11/1999
- “Why is there so much hatred towards us when the Germans, where 16 Lönder have voted against lifting the embargo, are spared all reproach?” French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany accusing the British of francophobia in the dispute over UK beef exports by focusing all their attacks on his country even though Germany was taking a similarly tough approach.
- “It is not a question of excluding anyone, but if we take the criteria seriously, there has to be some progress in the countries in question. But I am optimistic that everything is going well and that we will have positive results in Helsinki.” Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen seeking to reassure Rumania and Bulgaria that they would not be marginalised when EU leaders take a decision on inviting more applicants to the negotiating table at their summit next month despite the extra conditions which the two countries have been told to meet.
- “While the ECB's decision to raise interest rates and suits Finland, and also appears to function at the European level, the reasons for the rise were less than satisfactory.” Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen attacking the European Central Bank's decision to raise the cost of borrowing earlier this month on the grounds that there are no signs that inflation is accelerating.
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