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<p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend
the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has discussed our EU reform plans
with 19 Member States as part of his EU programme of visits. He plans to visit the
remaining Member States before the election. The Foreign Secretary has met a range
of Presidents, Ministers of Government, Officials, and leaders from Civil Society
and business. He has been clear on his desire to seek agreement with our colleagues
in the EU on the details of proposed reforms, which will be developed in discussion
with Member States in the coming months. In the Foreign Secretary’s discussions he
has covered the full range of issues that this Government would like to see reformed
in the EU; Fairness, Democratic Accountability, Competitiveness and Migrant Access
to Benefits. The Foreign Secretary has found a renewed focus on the economic aspects
of the reform agenda, recognition that much of the UK’s reform agenda is now part
of EU thinking and the clear message that Member States want the UK to remain in the
EU.<br></p>
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