Nine of the European Union's 27 member states, including Ireland, have formed an alliance to press for better terms for the EU in compromise proposals being discussed at global trade talks. An Italian government spokesman said this evening that the group wants to "improve the negotiating basis proposed by [World Trade Organisation chief] Pascal Lamy in order to protect the interests of European businesses and citizens". The nine countries are: France, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Cyprus and Italy, he said.
An Italian government spokesman said this evening that the group wants to "improve the negotiating basis proposed by [World Trade Organisation chief] Pascal Lamy in order to protect the interests of European businesses and citizens".
The nine countries are: France, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Cyprus and Italy, he said.
