It is perceived as an act of generosity. Last Monday, at a European Affairs committee meeting, I was asked about comments made by Mr. Chirac, a man for whom I have high regard, over the previous weekend. He is a sophisticated politician representing a sophisticated and civilised country. I commented on the suggestion that new member states were not equal, whereas the very essence of the EU is equality, and if we lose sight of that, the EU will not last or prosper.