The Polish Foreign Minister, Bronislaw Geremek, says his country is frustrated at not being allowed to join the European Union next year -- the entry date which was backed several years ago by Germany and France.

Mr Geremek was speaking in France where he is holding talks with his French and German counterparts Hubert Vedrine and Joschka Fischer, as part of annual meetings of the three countries, known as the the Weimar-Triangle.

He said Poland would be ready to join by 2003 but he was unsure the EU was ready.

Germany, which currently holds the EU presidency, has said it wants to use the successful launch of the euro to push through financial reforms before enlargement takes place.