By Stephen Castle in Brussels and Andrew Grice
09 September 2003
The Government will tone down its opposition to a new draft treaty for the European Union today, ahead of a tough round of negotiations starting next month.
Ministers will demand a series of changes to the EU constitution proposed by a convention chaired by the former French president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. But the Government's statement carefully avoids any mention of drawing "red lines" in the talks and argues that much of what is on the table is good for the UK.
The more positive stance reflects Tony Blair's desire to avoid heated public rows with Britain's EU partners, which he believes would undermine his long-term goal of taking the country into the euro.

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