Spain backs Polish EU and NATO membership

The Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, has said he fully supports Poland's integration into NATO and the European Union in spite of Spain's past objections over trade questions.

Mr Aznar, who has been in Warsaw, signed a declaration with his Polish counterpart, Jerzy Buzek, establishing regular consultations between their governments.

Spain also promised to share its experience of negotiating entry to NATO and the EU, which it joined in the 1980s after restoring democratic government.

A BBC Correspondent says Spain is fighting to ensure it keeps as much development funding as possible if former communist countries join the EU.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service