THE enlargement of the European Union to the east should not undermine the application of cohesion policies to existing member-states, the Taoiseach warned yesterday.
Addressing the "Europe of the Regions" conference in Dublin, Mr Bruton said negotiations on the new round of structural funds for the period 2000-2005 would start after the Inter-Governmental Conference concluded, probably in mid-1997.
The negotiations would take place when the EU was facing unprecedented change in preparing for enlargement to the east. This enlargement would be a new challenge for the principle of cohesion and convergence, he said.
"However, the principle of economic and social cohesion, firmly enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty, must be fully maintained and implemented", the Taoiseach told the conference, jointly organised by the Institute of European Affairs.