The Economic Times: Chirac, Blair hold the key to unity of EU

The Economic TimesChirac, Blair hold the key to unity of EU

The tempestuous relationship between French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will largely determine whether this week’s EU summit ends in harmony or casts the bloc deeper into crisis. The two leaders, both politically vulnerable at home, hold most of the keys to a deal on the EU’s long-term budget and a way forward on the EU constitution after French and Dutch referendum defeats for the charter.