Blair and Chirac Call Truce to Aid Eu Harmony

Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac pledged yesterday to set aside their differences and try to serve as "forces of harmony, not division" for a battered European Union badly in need of a "progressive vision".

In a fence-mending exercise ahead of a planned EU summit at Hampton Court at the end of the month, the prime minister and French president met for 90 minutes at the Elysée Palace.

British officials said their dispute over EU spending had not been on the agenda. In June, they argued bitterly over the 2007-13 EU budget. France wants Britain to accept a cut in its annual EU rebate, which London says it is prepared to consider only if the union agrees to review all spending - including the farm subsidies from which France benefits most.

"Everyone knows there can and will be differences of opinion," said Mr Chirac. "But ... we are aware of Europe's current difficulties and aim to make these difficulties disappear and not grow. We are both determined ... not to be a divisive force, but ... to understand each other so that we can be a force of harmony for the Europe of tomorrow."

Mr Blair said differences would always remain on issues such as the two countries' social models, but he promised to work for the greater good. "It's important to see if we can find a way forward for Europe, because that's important for Europe's citizens," he said.