Brussels, 25 October 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Details are emerging from an ongoing EU summit in Brussels on the enlargement terms the bloc will present to the 10 front-running candidates hoping to join in 2004. A Danish EU presidency source said the summit has agreed that economic "safeguards" can be invoked against the new members in the first three years after enlargement. The measures would cover "all cross-border" economic activity in the EU, and would be invoked if a new member fails to honor EU law.
The official said the safeguards are necessary, as some EU member states fear not all candidates are ready to fully comply with EU standards on the day of accession.
All EU members agree that EU agricultural spending between 2007 to 2013 may not exceed the 2006 budget ceiling, and that new members must wait until 2013 before receiving full EU farm subsidies.
The EU leaders are also expected to express support for Romania and Bulgaria's goal of entering the union in 2007.
The official said the safeguards are necessary, as some EU member states fear not all candidates are ready to fully comply with EU standards on the day of accession.
All EU members agree that EU agricultural spending between 2007 to 2013 may not exceed the 2006 budget ceiling, and that new members must wait until 2013 before receiving full EU farm subsidies.
The EU leaders are also expected to express support for Romania and Bulgaria's goal of entering the union in 2007.