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» Friday, December 15, 2006

Carne Ross

Asked to comment on John Major's call for an independent inquiry following the Carne Ross revelations, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that there had been four independent inquiries into these matters, all having full access to all the information they required, and all four came to conclusions which have been published. Therefore all these matters have been the subject of not just one inquiry, but four inquiries.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

Turkey and Middle East

Asked if the Prime Minister accepted that what had been agreed in Brussels on Turkey in net terms was a negative rather than a positive, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister believed the important point was that this Summit had kept the momentum going. Of the 35 chapters, 28 were still on going, that was important. The momentum to addressing the concerns that would allow the other 7 chapters to be addressed was being looked at. Turkey was aware of the need to keep going. Turkey had expressed its disappointment, but equally Turkey was very much still in the game. So therefore the momentum towards accession was being maintained. He added that part of the reason for going to Turkey was to underline our support for that continuing process. Part of it was also because it was recognised, particularly at the moment, that Turkey was a vital player in the Middle East region as a whole and that it has relationships with other people in the Middle East region that were important. Turkey had expressed its disappointment, but they were very much still in the game, this was what mattered.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

BAE/Saudi Arabia

Asked if the Prime Minister had met any executives or representatives from BAe in the last three months, the PMOS replied that he was not aware that he had.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Cyprus

Asked if the British Government would tell the Turks what they have to do in relation to Cyprus, the PMOS said we understand that Turkey does have obligations as part of its accession to the European Union, we understand that there are concerns about whether in some respects those obligations are being met and it is correct to assume that Cyprus is one of those obligations. In terms of what we need to do is find a way in which Turkey will meet these obligations and in the accession process can continue to move forward. Again he PMOS emphasised that what was also important was Turkey's role in the wider Middle East.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Loans Inquiry

Asked if the loans issue came up in discussions with other leaders at the EU Council, the PMOS said he was not aware if it had and that there were probably issues there that were discussed along side broader issues such as the Middle East.

Briefing took place at 9:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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» Friday, December 15, 2006

Carne Ross

Turkey and Middle East

BAE/Saudi Arabia

Cyprus

Loans Inquiry

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