Press releases

05 June 2008, Brown and Barroso outline EU agenda.


Gordon Brown has welcomed Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, to Number 10 to discuss Europe's priorities ahead of the EU Council meeting later this month.

Speaking to journalists in Downing Street, the PM said the European Union nations must work together to ease the burden of high fuel and food prices on families across the continent. The UK is tabling a six-point plan to bring down the cost of food which will be put to EU leaders for discussion at the six-monthly summit in Brussels on 19 and 20 June.

The PM said:

"This is an ambitious agenda for Europe. I know that President Barroso wishes to move this agenda forward as the economic challenges move to the top of the EU agenda."

Measures in the plan include ensuring effective food competition in domestic and European markets, increasing investment in agricultural research and agricultural production in poorer countries and examining the impact of biofuels on food production and the implications for EU targets for increased use of biofuels.
The PM also called for a "co-ordinated European strategy" to respond to the rising price of oil, through measure such as boosting energy efficiency and cutting dependence on oil. Such actions would be "strongly in Europe's interest, not just helping us tackle climate change and ensuring energy security, but also reducing energy bills for hard-pressed households and industry," he said.

Republic of Turkey - Ministry of Foreign Affairs