EU SUMMIT UK says budget rebate to be discussed in December
HAMPTON COURT, England (AFX) - The UK's budget rebate will be up for discussion at the EU summit in December, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said as European leaders meet here to discuss the bloc's future.
But the spokesman warned: 'The position hasn't changed since June.' In June, the UK opposed cuts to its rebate secured in 1984 by then prime minister Margaret Thatcher unless France agreed to a reduction in farm subsidies. The spokesman said of today's gathering: 'This is not the occasion on which we are discussing the rebate and future financing. That will be a matter for December.'
He downplayed differences between Blair and French President Jacques Chirac over the budget negotiations.
'I don't think we are pretending as we stand here today that there is total agreement,' he said.
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