EU Financial Management

We are trying to achieve co-operation and consensus on this matter. Of course, at some stage in the process the concept of using a stick might well come into play. If it were absolutely clear that certain ““rogue”” states were unwilling to be held to account for their use of these resources, sanctions would of course be an option that ought to be considered. However, at the moment, that is not part of our strategy for reaching a point at which the accounts do not have the qualification attached by 2009. That might be part of the solution in future, but I hope that it will not be necessary. Sanctions are not part of the plan, but they might become part of the solution.