Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: President Sarkozy Meeting, Rome and Speeches/Press conferences
President Sarkozy Meeting
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman informed assembled journalists that on 19th June, there would be a meeting at No10 with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and French President Sarkozy. This was in the run-up to the summit, and it came as a result of the discussions between the Prime Minister and President Sarkozy at G8.
Asked if there would be any other joint meetings with the Chancellor, the PMOS said that there were not.
Asked why there was a joint meeting now with President Sarkozy and not other joint meetings, the PMOS replied that what was important was that when there was a new French President, there had to be a chance to explore in greater length than was possible in a bilateral his position in the run-up to the discussions at the summit. It was also a chance, with the Chancellor taking on a new role, for him and President Sarkozy to meet. Therefore, it was a useful meeting for several reasons.
Asked if the Chancellor’s presence at the meeting meant that he was now involved in negotiations, the PMOS said that we had always said that there would be close consultation, as there always was, before summit between colleagues in Government. However, it would be the Prime Minister who would present a Government position at the summit.
Asked if there were any plans for the Prime Minister to stay in touch over the summit with phone calls etc, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister always kept in close contact with London during the summit.
Asked if this meeting was at the Prime Minister’s suggestion or the French President’s suggestion, the PMOS replied that it arose out of a bilateral. However, journalists should not expect him to give any further details of the discussion.
Rome
Asked if there were any other bilaterals planned on this issue, the PMOS said that there were none at this stage. There were proposals that the Prime Minister might go to Rome after the EU Summit, but nothing was confirmed.
Asked if the Prime Minister would meet the Pope, the PMOS replied that there were suggestions that he might.
Asked if the Prime Minister would be absolved of his sins, the PMOS said that he did not answer for the Prime Minister’s sins any more than he did for the journalist’s, thank goodness!
Asked if we had confirmed that the Prime Minister would meet the Pope, the PMOS said that we had not. Rather, there were proposals and it was not yet tied down.
Speeches/Press conferences
Asked if there would be any more speeches this week, the PMOS said there were not.
Asked if the speech yesterday was the Prime Minister’s last, the PMOS replied that people should wait and see.
Asked if there would be a Prime Ministerial press conference, the PMOS said that the diary looked rather full.
Asked if the Prime Minister would hold a farewell press conference, the PMOS repeated that the diary still looked a bit full.
Asked if that meant even for a farewell press conference, the PMOS said that he could keep suggesting it to the Prime Minister that journalists wanted one, but whether he wanted one was a different matter.
Asked if there would be a farewell party for the press, the PMOS replied that those who were on the G8 trip had a farewell photograph. What more did they want?!
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