File:Conversation between José María Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister, on the left, and Tony Blair, British Prime Minister.jpg

English: The European Council opened with an unexpected agreement between France and Germany on agriculture financing after 2006. The modes of general financing for enlargement were discussed. The Fifteen invited Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, the Baltic States and some of the PECO countries to complete negotiations by the end of the year in order to become members as planned in 2004 and to sign the Accession Treaty in Athens in April 2003. The Danish Presidency will ensure EU support for Romania and Bulgaria’s objective to accede in 2007. Turkey’s economic and political “progress” has been noted, but Turkey has not yet received a date for the opening of accession negotiations. The Fifteen have also ratified the agreement on Kaliningrad, settling the question of transit to and from the Russian enclave within the framework of enlargement. Furthermore, EU-NATO relations were considered, in particular military relief by the EU of the NATO force in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Finally, the Heads of State and Government made a declaration of dismay and indignation for the capture of hostages by terrorists in Moscow, which took place during the European Council.