Blair hints at increased EU funds sacrifice to win deal
TONY Blair yesterday hinted that he is prepared to increase the British contribution to the European Union budget still further in order to secure a financial deal at a key summit next week. The Prime Minister has already offered to give up about £800 million a year from the British rebate from the EU budget, and diplomatic sources last night said that could rise to £1 billion a year in a proposal to be made next week. Mr Blair, who holds the EU presidency until January, has staked his authority on negotiating a new, smaller budget for the EU, to begin in 2007. But he has been left isolated by the opposition of France - which wants to keep its generous farm subsidies - and the new members from eastern Europe, who fear losing long-promised economic development funds.
No comments:
Post a Comment