The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has said he welcomes proposals by Germany and France for a less centralised European Union.

He was speaking in Paris at the end of a tour of European capitals aimed at preparing the way foran EU summit in Britain next week.

Britain currently holds the presidency of the EU.

Mr Blair said he agreed with ideas expressed by Chancellor Kohl of Germany and the French President, Jacques Chirac, that EU institutions should be made more accessible to ordinary people.

He said there was a growing concensus that economic reforms should be used to invest in education and skills.