Airstrip One

Support from those that count - 10th June 2003, 22.35

Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder both publicly supported the comments of Gordon Brown on Britain's preparations for entering the Euro. It would appear that Brown's speech was directed at European leaders rather than the electorate, given the positive reception that it has received abroad, and the criticism raised in Britain.

At the same meeting, both leaders also demonstrated their support for the draft of the European Constitution presented and moulded by Giscard D'Estaing.

The French and German leaders also used Tuesday's talks in Berlin to call for the draft European constitution to be accepted as the basis for a future treaty at the EU summit later this month. Mr Schroeder said France and Germany were "determined to support this (draft) constitution without reservation."

Such support indicates that both France and Germany have resolved any diplomatic differences over the future of Europe and that both powers have unreservedly opted for a centralised model based on state functions and core competencies. The probability of the draft constitution being adopted by the member governments with minor changes has now increased.