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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cameron to press Hollande over EU at UK-France summit | Cameron to press Hollande over EU at UK-France summit |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to press French President Francois Hollande to back European Union reform as he hosts a UK-France summit. | Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to press French President Francois Hollande to back European Union reform as he hosts a UK-France summit. |
| The talks, which will take place at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, are expected to cover subjects including energy, defence and science. | The talks, which will take place at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, are expected to cover subjects including energy, defence and science. |
| Sources said Mr Cameron would urge a "more flexible" EU during the meeting. | |
| But a source close to Mr Hollande said he was unlikely to back such a move. | But a source close to Mr Hollande said he was unlikely to back such a move. |
| Mr Cameron's Conservative Party is promising to hold an in-out referendum on the European Union by the end of 2017 if it wins the 2015 general election. | Mr Cameron's Conservative Party is promising to hold an in-out referendum on the European Union by the end of 2017 if it wins the 2015 general election. |
| 'Optimistic' | 'Optimistic' |
| This is unpopular among Mr Hollande's ministers, according to BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt, who said: "They will not accept a Europe a la carte, where countries cherry-pick what they like." | This is unpopular among Mr Hollande's ministers, according to BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt, who said: "They will not accept a Europe a la carte, where countries cherry-pick what they like." |
| UK officials sought to play down the differences between the two men, holding the first UK-France summit since Mr Hollande became president in 2012, saying: "We have seen over a period of months now increasing recognition around Europe about the need for treaty change. Every country will approach that from their own perspective in the usual way." | UK officials sought to play down the differences between the two men, holding the first UK-France summit since Mr Hollande became president in 2012, saying: "We have seen over a period of months now increasing recognition around Europe about the need for treaty change. Every country will approach that from their own perspective in the usual way." |
| Mr Cameron was "optimistic and takes a very positive approach to the changes that he wants to see", a source added. | Mr Cameron was "optimistic and takes a very positive approach to the changes that he wants to see", a source added. |
| The prime minister is expected to make the argument for greater deregulation within the EU and a change of relationship between Brussels and countries not in the eurozone, including the UK. | The prime minister is expected to make the argument for greater deregulation within the EU and a change of relationship between Brussels and countries not in the eurozone, including the UK. |
| However, a source close to Mr Hollande signalled that it was "very, very unlikely" he would agree to treaty changes by 2017. | However, a source close to Mr Hollande signalled that it was "very, very unlikely" he would agree to treaty changes by 2017. |
| 'Uncertainty' | |
| The summit follows criticism by both the UK and French governments over the state of the other's economy. | |
| Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said: "Rather than pandering to his Conservative backbenchers who want Britain to leave the EU, David Cameron should bear in mind the uncertainty he is creating for British businesses and think about the British defence jobs he is putting in danger." | Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said: "Rather than pandering to his Conservative backbenchers who want Britain to leave the EU, David Cameron should bear in mind the uncertainty he is creating for British businesses and think about the British defence jobs he is putting in danger." |
| The two leaders are also expected to discuss the latest developments in the joint expeditionary force, which will see closer military co-operation between their respective armed forces. | |
| Among a number of defence deals that will be signed are a £120m feasibility study for a new armed drone, the Future Air Combat System, and a £500m joint purchase of anti-ship missiles | |
| It will also be announced that the UK will receive two A400M transport planes earlier than expected after swapping a delivery slot for the aircraft with the French. | |
| A joint memorandum of understanding on nuclear power will also be agreed, involving small and medium-sized firms in the nuclear supply chain and co-operation between researchers on both sides of the Channel. | |
| Earlier this year, French firm EDF agreed to lead a consortium to build a new nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point in Somerset, the first new UK reactor in a generation. |