Blair floats pro-Europe forum

Government officials in Britain have confirmed that the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, intends to invite opposition politicians to join a new forum to promote a positive approach to Europe.

Mr Blair has said he wants to end what he's called the "narrow chauvinism" of the previous Conservative government.

A number of senior pro-European Conservatives have already said that they might be interested in taking part in the forum, provided it is able to influence government policy.

Mr Blair used a keynote speech in the Hague yesterday to stress Britain's commitment to the successful launch of a single European currency, despite planning not to join at the start.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service