Over at the socialist gathering held in a conference centre overlooking an ornate garden in the centre of Brussels, a gaggle of reporters – and a few bemused tourists – clustered around Jean-Marc Ayrault, the new French prime minister, as he arrived for the meeting.
Speaking in French, English and German, he said: “We need to give Europe confidence. Throughout his election campaign, President Hollande made an issue of the importance of growth.”
He added: “It is very important not just for France, but all the European people, to have a new strategy. It is very important. Not just for the eurozone.”
Mr Ayrault stressed, though, that this evening’s summit was informal and that leaders would not be taking big decisions.
Moments later Elio di Rupo, Belgian prime minister, arrived wearing his trademark Burgundy bow tie. He waved aside reporters as he went into the meeting without making a comment.








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