BRUSSELS, Nov 21: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw restated Monday London’s commitment to trying to strike an EU budget deal next month, but stressed it would be difficult and require concessions on all sides. Straw, whose country currently holds the European Union’s presidency, confirmed that London will make new proposals at a ministerial “conclave” on December 7 to try to break the deadlock over the bloc’s 2007-2013 budget plans.

EU governments are aiming to strike a deal at a mid-December summit, but accord is blocked on two key issues: Britain’s refusal to surrender its cherished budget rebate, and French resistance to reform of farm subsidies.—AFP