Following Wednesday's trilateral summit, Britain, France and Germany have set out a joint programme calling for economic reforms throughout the EU.

Under the plan Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder want to see a greater emphasis on research and development and the creation of a vice president of the commission with special responsibility for economic matters.

At the summit, president Chirac reminded the prime minister that France's relationship with Germany was his primary concern.

Speaking at the press conference, Chirac insisted that the Franco-German relationship is "very specific".

"It is not something that can be transposed or exported in the short term. It is a very intense relationship which is illustrated by regular contacts, daily contacts between government and public officials," he said.

Despite Blair's attempt to take the lead in Europe, the FT reports that David Blunkett has repeatedly ducked a meeting of EU home affairs ministers.

The home secretary has not attended a justice and home affairs council meeting since 2001.