BRUSSELS SUMMIT: DANISH PRESIDENCY SHOWS ITS HAND ON ENLARGEMENT.

Backing for 25-nation EU by 2004.

On the prospects for the leading candidates, the draft Conclusions say: "The Union endorses the findings and recommendations of the Commission that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia fulfil the political criteria and will be able to fulfil the economic criteria and to assume the obligations of membership from the beginning of 2004." "The Union confirms its determination to conclude accession negotiations with these countries at the European Council in Copenhagen on 12-13 December and signing the Accession Treaty in Athens in April 2003", the draft continues - noting also "the overall progress achieved in the accession negotiations, as well as in transposing and implementing the acquis and the commitments undertaken in the negotiations by the candidates".

The draft Conclusions also reiterate the EU "preference for a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union on the basis of a comprehensive settlement, and urge the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to seize the opportunity and reach an agreement before the end of the accession negotiations this year". The EU "will accommodate the terms of such a comprehensive settlement in the Treaty of Accession" - or, if no settlement is reached, will base its decisions at the Copenhagen Summit on the conclusions of the Helsinki Summit in 1999, which provide for accession of the Greek part of the island. There is specific financial provision for Cyprus too. A programme for the northern part of Cyprus to enable it to catch up would provide Euro 39 million in 2004, Euro 67 million in 2005 and Euro 100 million in 2006.

Safeguards and money.

On safeguards, and on monitoring after the signing of each Accession Treaty, the Presidency's text is based closely on the Commission proposals. "For a duration of up to two years after accession, a safeguard clause may be invoked upon a motivated request by any Member State or on the Commission's initiative. Measures under the general economic safeguard clause could concern any Member State. Measures under the two specific safeguard clauses can only be addressed to new Member States that have failed to implement commitments undertaken in the context of the negotiations. A safeguard clause may be invoked even before accession on the basis of the monitoring findings and enter into force as of the first day of accession. The duration of...