Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-09-Speech-3-072"
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"en.20030409.3.3-072"2
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".
In principle, we support the enlargement of the European Union, provided that this is the wish of the peoples of the applicant countries. We cannot, however, allow Portugal’s interests to be called into question.
In the current context of enlargement, two negative aspects of the negotiations must be highlighted: the discriminatory way in which the applicant countries are treated, particularly in the areas of finance and agriculture, and the consequences of enlargement for Portugal. Although we welcome the increase of around EUR 500 million, achieved as a result of the pressure exerted by the European Parliament, this sum is clearly inadequate for taking us towards economic and social cohesion.
We therefore have the medium-term prospect of reductions in the Structural Funds and in farm aid for Portugal, when all known studies state that whereas Germany will gain the most, our country will lose the most, given our remoteness and given the greater competition we now face from countries which offer lower salaries and a more highly-skilled workforce. The most recent data produced by the Commission clearly show that, of all countries, Portugal has the weakest production structure and the most serious socio-economic shortcomings, which means that it could suffer very damaging consequences unless due care is taken to protect its interests in accession negotiations.
This is why we have abstained overall and have voted in favour in the particular case of Cyprus."@en1
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