Press Release: Fischler meets CEC farm ministers: ‘SAPARD can be showcase for restructuring’

Speaking on 6.6.00 at a conference with the agriculture ministers from the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC) on the implementation of the EU's pre-accession instrument SAPARD, Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, welcomed the progress made in the Central and Eastern European applicant countries. SAPARD foresees the delegation of substantial responsibility to the candidate countries regarding the management of EU funds for rural development. 'Exchanging views, keeping the information flowing is key to successful enlargement. Our common goal is to make the 520 million euros per year available as soon as possible. Speed is important, but we also need efficiency and controls. In the run-up to accession the candidate countries still have to overcome huge structural weaknesses in their agricultural sectors. Although SAPARD cannot be the solution, it can be the showcase how to face this challenge and how EU payments could be used also after accession: focusing on investments to improve the competitiveness of the sector also after the accession', he said.