Czech Republic welcomes Danish concessions to EU candidates

The Czech Republic has welcomed an offer of financial concessions to European Union candidates. The country's chief negotiator for EU entry, Pavel Telicka, described the offer as an improvement on previous proposals. However he added that his country would continue to fight for better entry terms before December's EU summit in Copenhagen. Denmark, which currently holds the revolving presidency of the EU, unveiled a plan on Monday to improve financial terms of accession for ten candidates expected to join in mid 2004. The plan was heavily criticised by several EU members including Germany.