re: Chirac signals compromise on EU agricultural policies
It's not a major point. But trade with Africa is only way to really affect their economic problems and EU agricultural policies will interfere with trade agreements. And money spend on aid to Africa will be wasted if real change is not produced for the money spent.
But it's mostly about getting more money spend from the Brits [I believe 20 billion per year] for EU and Blair will face political opposition that a lot of this money will be spent on French farmers [which is 40% of EU budget].