When the subject of new members of the Union comes up, my main focus of interest is mainly on how well their economies, corporate sectors and telecommunications will be able to keep up with development. I am also following the enlargement projects as a member of the Commission. Sessions of the Commission are, of course, a large and important part of this work, because it is at them that progress in handling matters is made. Erkki Liikanen's problems include the food issues that have hit the headlines in so many ways in recent months, but they also relate to the Union's trade links with the United States. Relations with the United States seem to have become a permanent question in these matters.
European consumers are very sensitive at the moment.
People want to know what all foodstuffs have in them. New legislation now being drafted is simpler, clearer and more open, and we hope it will be in force already in 2000. Thicket of directives being thinned Businesses often complain about the tangled thicket of EU directives, dealing with which can be unduly laborious. Erkki Liikanen concedes that this is a valid complaint in some sectors. Together with my colleague responsible for the Single Market we have been deliberating these problems.