As a long-standing member of the European Parliament, Happart said the European Union was gradually acquiring the characteristics of a state and that apart from bilateral relations among EU member states, regional cooperation was becoming increasingly important, providing national communities in multiethnic states with better protection.
Seks and Happart were agreed the EU must be economically sufficiently strong to be able to protect its economic interests on the global market, while protecting each of its member states.
The two officials said it was important to preserve identity and diversity and ensure the equality of EU member states through political frameworks, the press release said.
Happart said agriculture was a particularly complex and sensitive area both during and after the EU entry negotiations, adding that it remained a priority in member states' discussions on the Union's economic prosperity.