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Brown and Merkel set for meeting Brown, Merkel pledge health boost
(about 13 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is likely to discuss international development with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Downing Street. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have promised "urgent action" to tackle disease in the world's poorest countries.
After the talks, Mr Brown and Mrs Merkel are expected to go to Wembley to watch the international football match between England and Germany. The two leaders outlined an initiative to fight illnesses like HIV/AIDS and cut childhood and maternal mortality rates during talks in Downing Street.
A spokeswoman for Mr Brown said the talks would focus on health issues, which were an "important priority". They said an international health partnership to target overseas aid will be officially launched on 5 September.
The talks come amid calls for a referendum on the EU treaty. This will improve access to health services in poorer nations, they added.
A Downing Street spokeswoman refused to confirm whether the talks would feature the treaty, but said "they will discuss the key issues facing them both". Afterwards, they are expected to watch the international football match between England and Germany.
Renewed pressure 'Very clear'
She added: "The discussions are likely to focus on international development.
"Within that, they are likely to focus on health, which is a very important priority for the prime minister."
Mrs Merkel's visit to the UK is her first since Mr Brown became prime minister nearly two months ago.Mrs Merkel's visit to the UK is her first since Mr Brown became prime minister nearly two months ago.
The prime minister has faced renewed calls from the Tories for a referendum on the treaty. The talks come amid trade union calls for a referendum on the EU treaty.
They say it is similar to the proposed EU constitution abandoned after it was voted down in France and Holland. Mr Brown is facing calls from the Tories for a referendum on the treaty, which were echoed on Wednesday by the GMB and RMT trade unions.
An ICM poll earlier this week suggested 82% of British voters want a referendum. They say the treaty is similar to the proposed EU constitution, which was abandoned after it was voted down in France and Holland.
You may recall it's not the first time these two have met as leaders... BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg Read Laura's thoughts in full
An ICM poll earlier this week suggested 82% of British voters want a referendum on the treaty.
Among Labour voters the poll suggested the figure was 80% and for Tory voters it was 88%.Among Labour voters the poll suggested the figure was 80% and for Tory voters it was 88%.
Shadow Europe minister Mark Francois told the ePolitix.com website he would like Mr Brown to tell Mrs Merkel "public opinion is running so high" he feels he must hold a referendum. Shadow Europe Minister Mark Francois told the ePolitix.com website he would like Mr Brown to tell Mrs Merkel that public opinion was "running so high" he felt he had to hold a referendum.
But Europe Minister Jim Murphy said this was unnecessary because the government had made it "very clear in the treaty that the UK will not give away important areas of sovereignty to the European Union".
Afghanistan
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell called on Mr Brown to challenge Mrs Merkel over Germany's role in Afghanistan.
He said: "The prime minister should take this opportunity to impress upon Chancellor Merkel the overwhelming necessity to ensure that Nato forces win in Afghanistan.
"He should tell her that the chances of doing so are being materially damaged by the so-called 'caveats' which Germany has attached to the deployment of its force.
"These caveats detract from the effectiveness not only of the German troops, but of the Nato effort as a whole."