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Blair, Chirac play it cool
21/03/2003 14:33 - (SA)
Brussels - European Union leaders have resumed talks at a two-day summit in Brussels, hoping to keep a lid on differences about Iraq and concentrate on boosting progress on economic reform in the 15-member bloc.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: "I have no doubt the EU will get back together and look to the future and continue to work in a positive manner to make the world a better place."
The Iraqi war clouded the first evening of the summit, ending with a joint declaration that papered over differences by pledging to provide humanitarian aid and reaffirming the central post-war role of the United Nations.
Most of the EU leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac, said nothing as they arrived for the second and final day of the summit, which opened almost exactly at the same time as the ground invasion of Iraq began.
At the start of the resumed session, Chirac and a sombre-looking Blair - whose troops had their first casualties on Friday - seemed to avoid each other as the leaders mingled around the summit table.
Chilly atmosphere
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at one point came over to Blair and held a brief converation with him, touching him on the arm.
The 15 EU leaders were expected to discuss economic reform in the morning, and meet EU candidate states' leaders in the afternoon.
In what was described as a chilly atmosphere on Thursday evening, Blair and Chirac met for the first time since the collapse of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iraqi row peacefully.
Diplomats rebuffed reports of a row between the two men, who shook hands during the opening session, although they did not appear in front of cameras together.
"I don't think we're excited about personalities," said one.
The summit was due to end after the traditional family photo of EU leaders. But a British diplomat said he would not be surprised if Blair left early.
Earlier on Friday, a British military official said eight Royal Marines and four US airmen died when an American helicopter crashed in Kuwait as allied forces pushed into Iraq. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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