This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38849868

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Theresa May presses EU leaders on defence spending Theresa May presses EU leaders on defence spending
(about 2 hours later)
Theresa May is holding talks with EU Nato members as she attempts to build alliances ahead of Brexit.Theresa May is holding talks with EU Nato members as she attempts to build alliances ahead of Brexit.
The prime minister arrived in the Maltese capital Valletta with a message that Europe must increase its defence spending, following her talks about the future of Nato with Donald Trump.The prime minister arrived in the Maltese capital Valletta with a message that Europe must increase its defence spending, following her talks about the future of Nato with Donald Trump.
The UK is one of the few alliance members to meet pledges to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence.The UK is one of the few alliance members to meet pledges to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence.
Mrs May will also pledge UK help with the EU migrant crisis post Brexit. Mrs May is also pledging UK help with the EU migrant crisis post Brexit.
She will argue that she wants a "new, positive and constructive" relationship with the EU after Brexit - and will use one-to-one talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy to promise the UK will remain a "reliable partner". The prime minister used talks with Spanish prime minister Mariana Rajoy and Austria's Christian Kern to promise the UK will remain a "reliable partner".
She is also expected to stress that a strong EU is in the interests of the UK. Downing Street said Mrs May also updated them on the UK's preparations for Brexit and her desire for "a strong partnership with the EU in the future".
Future relations
Mr Rajoy said her speech setting out the UK's Brexit plans, including quitting the single market, had "clarified many things" and given a greater degree of certainty.
"They agreed that it was important to think about the future relationship as well as the detailed exit arrangement, so that we can give greater certainty for people and businesses who want to live and work in each other's countries," a Downing Street source said.
They also agreed an early deal on the rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons in the rest of Europe was desirable.
Mrs May's visit comes two days after MPs voted to allow her to get Brexit negotiations under way.Mrs May's visit comes two days after MPs voted to allow her to get Brexit negotiations under way.
She is expected to have an informal "brush by" with Malta's prime minister, Joseph Muscat, who told the BBC's World Service that while he wants a "fair deal" for the UK after Brexit, it must be "inferior" to full EU membership. 'Inferior deal'
She was expected to have an informal "brush by" with Malta's prime minister, Joseph Muscat, who told the BBC's World Service that while he wants a "fair deal" for the UK after Brexit, it must be "inferior" to full EU membership.
"No one wants the UK economy to suffer, I think this is a lose-lose situation," said Mr Muscat, whose country holds the rotating European Council presidency."No one wants the UK economy to suffer, I think this is a lose-lose situation," said Mr Muscat, whose country holds the rotating European Council presidency.
While he says he expects a transitional deal for Britain will be agreed quite easily, he stressed: "Now, in my book if you're not part of the single market, that is an inferior deal. But maybe for the British government if you're not part of the single market but get to control your borders that's a superior deal."While he says he expects a transitional deal for Britain will be agreed quite easily, he stressed: "Now, in my book if you're not part of the single market, that is an inferior deal. But maybe for the British government if you're not part of the single market but get to control your borders that's a superior deal."
Analysis Mrs May was the first foreign leader to visit the Trump White House and she is using the European Council summit to tell Nato members they need to increase their spending on defence.
By John Pienaar, BBC deputy political editor Mr Trump had previously called the transatlantic alliance "obsolete", but as part of efforts to build a bridge between Washington and Europe, Mrs May is saying his commitment to her about being "100% behind Nato" underlines the importance of defence and security cooperation.
Britain's strategic ambition to act as a bridge between Europe and the United States long predates Brexit, but it has now become a central component of the government's hopes of keeping and building influence in the world.
Theresa May will tell EU leaders of her particular achievement - as Downing Street sees it - in drawing a promise of a 100% commitment to Nato from Donald Trump, following earlier indications that his commitment to the Western alliance was wavering.
But pressing for higher defence spending looks like a tough ask.
And her hopes of becoming a bridge - or honest broker - between the EU and the US won't be easily fulfilled either.
Mr Trump is no supporter of the EU - he favours nation-to-nation relationships.
He's also mentioned the German leader Angela Merkel in the same breath as Vladimir Putin in discussing future relations, and the French President Francois Hollande has urged EU leaders to stand up to him.
Like much of the prime minister's post-Brexit mission, this strategic ambition is more easily conceived than carried out.
Mrs May was the first foreign leader to visit the Trump White House and she will use the European Council summit to tell Nato members they need to increase their spending on defence.
Mr Trump had previously called the transatlantic alliance "obsolete", but Mrs May will tell EU leaders that at talks in the US last week, he confirmed he was "100% behind Nato".
But while close trade and strategic ties with the Trump administration are central to Downing Street's plans for Britain after Brexit, relations between the White House and European leaders are already strained, after the US ban on refugees and visa holders from a number of mainly Muslim countries.
'Sharing the burden'
Speaking at a joint press conference in Washington with President Trump last Friday, Mrs May said the burden of spending within Nato should be more "fairly shared".
Nato estimates for 2016 show that only five alliance members - the US, UK, Greece, Poland and Estonia - will spend a minimum of 2% of national output (GDP) on defence, which is the target.Nato estimates for 2016 show that only five alliance members - the US, UK, Greece, Poland and Estonia - will spend a minimum of 2% of national output (GDP) on defence, which is the target.
However, Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallström told the BBC her country, which is an EU member but not a full Nato member, will not commit to the 2% target. The BBC's deputy political editor John Pienaar says it was a tough ask for many European countries as it would mean doubling their defence expenditure.
"No... We'll put together a parliamentary commission that will look into this and decide what priorities there should be on defence spending in the future," she told Radio 4's Today. While close trade and strategic ties with the Trump administration are central to Downing Street's plans for Britain after Brexit, relations between the White House and European leaders are already strained, after the US ban on refugees and visa holders from a number of mainly Muslim countries.
She also dismissed the suggestion President Trump could be brought on board by European countries if they committed to that 2% target, adding: "That means you will have to reduce other types of spending, so you'll always have to make a political choice. 'Room for explanation'
"I really think we should invest in building peace and making sure that we have a political situation in Europe and the world that reduces the tensions and creates better chances for peace." European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said while he did not feel threatened by Mr Trump "there is room for explanations because of the impression that the new administration does not know the EU in detail but in Europe details matter".
Mr Trump has said that Nato allies are over-reliant on the US and has questioned whether the US should defend any alliance partner, under Article 5, if so many of the 28 Nato members are not paying their way. Mr Kern said: "Today we have pretty mixed feelings, to be honest, because the tangible aspects of Mr Trump's policies are raising some concerns.
But Ms Wallström said: "Sometimes it's an advantage of not being a member of Nato - we decide for ourselves. We decide also our own spending and budget." "It's not a threat, it could be a catalyst for a strong, more united Europe. It is an alarm call to see if we are on the right track."
France's President Francois Hollande stressed the need for a united European position on Mr Trump because "who knows what the US president really wants" in relation to the transatlantic alliance.
German chancellor Angela Merkel said Europe has "its destiny in its own hands" and should focus on its own future not other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite appeared to cast doubt on the UK's ambition of being a bridge between the US and Europe.
"There is no necessity of bridges," she told reporters. "Because today we mainly communicate with the US on Twitter."
Mrs May is expected to depart from Valletta after morning discussions, leaving the remaining EU leaders to discuss plans for a summit in Rome in March and the future of the EU.Mrs May is expected to depart from Valletta after morning discussions, leaving the remaining EU leaders to discuss plans for a summit in Rome in March and the future of the EU.