distorting farm export subsidies. Britain will take bilateral soundings on the budget over the summer. Any deal would not come before a heads of government summit in December if at all, Blair said. Barroso said Blair was taking the EU's helm at a "rough time" for the bloc, conferring on him a special responsibility. Earlier, he warned EU leaders that playing the national card in budget negotiations could "destroy" Europe and called on all sides to compromise. Blair is also tasked with starting accession talks with Turkey on Oct. 3 amid rising opposition to further enlargement. Blair said he would seek to ensure the EU's obligations and Turkey's commitment to meet strict enty criteria were both met. --More 1841 Local Time 1541 GMT
