Polen ziet geen verband tussen mislukking top en verlaging EU-budget (en)

In an interview with the Financial Times, Poland's prime minister Leszek Miller has dismissed claims that yesterday's call from six countries to cap EU budgetary spending - to Poland's disadvantage - is linked to the collapse of talks on the EU's Constitution.

Speaking to the paper from his hospital bed, where he is recovering from injuries to his spine sustained in a recent helicopter crash, Mr Miller said that the letter was a result of the economic downturn rather than a political statement.

"I don't think there is any link between this letter and the results of the summit", he said. "This type of declaration would have been formulated no matter what the results of the summit".

The letter, written by the leaders of France, Germany, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria, called for spending to be capped from 2007 onwards. This move would adversely affect both Spain and Poland, who would both be net beneficiaries in the enlarged EU.

But Mr Miller rejected talk of retaliation, saying, "That would mean a deep crisis in the Union as well as a rise in scepticism in many of the countries entering the Union".

But don't threaten us

However, he had a warning for EU leaders. Poland's position will not be influenced by threats - budgetary or otherwise.

"Poland should be seen as a country which has views based on solid reasoning ... Poland can modify that reasoning, but only through arguments, not through threats".

Spain's foreign minister Ana de Palacio also issued a warning that her country would not be threatened.

Speaking on Spanish television, she said, "Spain remains willing to negotiate on reasonable terms. But we won't be steam-rollered".

Spain and Poland contributed to the cause of the collapse of the weekend talks because they refused to give ground on the controversial issue of voting power in the future EU.

No core Europe

After the collapse of talks, French President Jacques Chirac suggested that there should be a "pioneering group" of EU countries that might want to move ahead faster with deeper integration. This has led to a debate this week in Brussels over the merits of a "core Europe".

But Mr Miller dismissed the idea.

"What would that mean? Would there be two Constitutions, one for the six and one for the rest? Or would the law have to be changed?"