EUROPEAN COMMISSION: COUNCIL APPROVES ANNUAL POLICY STRATEGY FOR 2003.

EU Foreign Ministers have welcomed the three priorities set out by the Commission for 2003 of enlargement, citizens' security and developing the economy. But they have questioned the Commission's own assessment of the extra money it will need to carry out these priorities. Foreign Ministers discussed the Commission's Annual Policy Strategy (APS) paper for 2003, which was presented to the Council by President Romano Prodi on March 11 (see European Report 2664, same Section) at the General Affairs Council on May 13. The Council welcomed the three priorities of making a success of enlargement, ensuring stability and security for EU citizens and developing a sustainable and inclusive economy. Ministers nevertheless asked the Commission to take account of remarks made by Member States when it prepares a stocktaking document in the autumn to review the main legislative proposals the Commission plans to introduce in its legislative and work programme.The Council, however, pointed out...