Merkel Visits Blair in London
Posted on: Thursday, 24 November 2005, 09:00 CST
Germany's new chancellor, Angela Merkel, left Brussels Thursday to discuss a European Union budget dispute with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.
Just two days after being sworn in, Merkel flew to Paris to meet with French President Jacques Chirac, then traveled on to Brussels to meet EU officials.
Blair, meanwhile, is hoping for warmer relations with Merkel than he had with her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, the BBC reported. Schroeder was the most vocal leader in challenging a $5 billion per year EU rebate Britain receives. Blair has said he is willing to compromise on that issue, but only if substantial changes are made to agricultural subsidies that benefit France.
Britain, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, is eager to reach a deal over the budget by the end of the year, the BBC said.
Source: United Press International
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