swisspolitics.org: Blair and Chirac face EU budget showdown

swisspolitics.orgBlair and Chirac face EU budget showdown

French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair prepared for a showdown over the European Union budget on Tuesday with hopes fading for a deal on the 25-nation bloc's long-term finances. Blair has signaled he is ready to compromise on Britain's multi-billion-euro annual EU rebate provided France also gives ground on the substantial farms subsidies it receives. Chirac has refused, saying the agriculture budget was settled in 2002. The British leader began the day by meeting Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker and was scheduled to travel to Paris later for talks with Chirac. Juncker, holder of the EU's rotating presidency, is trying to broker a budget deal.