The EU has negotiated farm trade liberalisation deals with a further two applicant countries, but talks with Poland remain deadlocked

Date: 08/06/2000

The Union has finalised agreements on ending farm import duties and export subsidies with Bulgaria and Slovenia, bringing to seven the number of countries which have closed similar deals with the EU. But Commission officials say hopes of striking a deal with Poland are dimmer than ever due to a political crisis in Warsaw caused by Freedom Union party's departure from the coalition government.