Rift threatens EU expansion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Deep divisions over the eastward expansion of the European Union were exposed yesterday when Germany and Britain led opposition to plans for a multimillion-pound package of subsidies to farmers from the former Communist bloc.
A total of four countries prevented agreement on a proposed package of agriculture aid for countries joining the EU, fearing it would cause an explosion in the the cost of the €45bn-a-year (£30bn) Common Agricultural Policy.Member states were unable even to agree on postponing the issue until the autumn, leaving talks in limbo.
The deadlock underlined the problems that must be confronted if the EU is to meet its end-of-year target for completing negotiations with the 10 nations that have a chance of joining in 2004. And it also illustrated the link between two crucial issues: the EU's enlargement and plans, later this summer, to consider a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which swallows half of the EU's annual €90m budget.
There was a clear division between countries that benefit from the CAP and which have an interest in preserving it, and reformers who do not want to extend it. France and Ireland, both of which do well from the CAP, backed the proposal for payments to farmers from applicant countries, while Germany, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands blocked it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments