British, Danish PMs meet on budget deficit, Afghanistan

British Prime Minister David Cameron met with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Thursday at the Downing Street No. 10.

The two prime ministers held an "excellent meeting" where they refreshed and renewed the strong relationship between Britain and Denmark.

The meeting focused on their "shared outlook" on Europe and tackling their budget deficits.

In a press conference following their meeting, Cameron said that the EU budget could not carry on rising at a time when member states were having to take tough action to get their national finances in order.

He said: "As we reduce our deficits, I think it is very important that we both argue to make sure that the European budget is, over time, reduced rather than increased. We cannot ask our members of the public to pay more in Britain and have to pay more in Europe as well."

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan where Danish troops are fighting alongside British soldiers in Helmand province.

Cameron said that both countries were "absolutely aligned" in their commitment to building up the Afghan army and police to enable to take responsibility for their own security.

Cameron and Rasmussen will next meet at the Autumn European Council meetings.

Source: Xinhua