Downing Street Says

» Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Brussels

Asked for details regarding the talks in Brussels tomorrow, the PMS replied that there were four things that the Prime Minister would be seeking to discuss with President Barroso. Firstly, the issue of economic reform; we very much supported the position that President Barroso had been taking, driving forward economic reform in Europe. We would be looking to discuss issues such as what more we needed to do to complete and strengthen the single market, including in energy and what further support we could provide to businesses, including small businesses. Secondly, there would probably be a discussion around international development issues, and linked to that would be progress on trade talks; that would be something he would discuss with Mr Mandelson. Thirdly, climate change; we welcomed the leadership that the Commission had been showing in Europe on this and we would be discussing how we could work closer in Europe to deal with climate change, and in particular, what more we could do in order to increase the effectiveness of the emissions trading scheme. Finally, there would probably be some discussion around global security issues. Of those, the main focus would probably be on economic and environmental issues.

Asked if Northern Rock would be discussed, the PMS replied that he would not anticipate any substantive discussion on Northern Rock.

Asked who invited whom to the meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr Mandelson and when they last spoke, the PMS replied that he did not know exactly when they had last spoken, but that they had spoken a number of times since Mr Brown became Prime Minister in relation to trade matters. It was customary for the Prime Minister to have a meeting with the British Commissioner when visiting Brussels.

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