According to reports in the Polish press, the Swedish Government's Minister for Equal Opportunities, Mrs Margareta Winberg, has strongly criticised Poland on account of the fact that, in that country, abortion is banned by law. Mrs Winberg's criticisms were expressed directly to a Polish Government Under-Secretary of State, Mrs Irena Boruta, who had been invited to Norrköping in order to attend an informal meeting of EU Social Affairs Ministers, together with representatives of other applicant countries.

Mrs Winberg made her comments in her official capacity, against the background of the Swedish presidency and in the context of the informal meeting of EU Ministers which was held at the end of January. Her exact words were allegedly as follows: 'It is unacceptable that a country which is knocking on the European Union's door should behave in such a way'. Mrs Boruta is said to have replied (again according to press reports) that the ban imposed under Polish law had been established by democratic means.

Is the Council aware of the attitude adopted by Mrs Winberg towards Poland and can it confirm the facts as reported? If so, does Mrs Winberg's attitude reflect the Council's official view? On what legal basis? Has the Council any prejudice against enlargement of the EU to include Poland or against democracy in Poland?