President Klaus to meet Tony Blair in London

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus arrived in London on Monday for a two-day visit that will also include talks with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. On Monday, Mr Klaus had lunch with Prince Andrew, then he met Czech veterans of World War II at Westminster Abbey before heading to a reception with Czechs living in Britain and a dinner in the City financial district. He also met Britain's Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, during the day, ahead of meetings on Tuesday with Tony Blair, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and the opposition Conservative leader Michael Howard. The visit is the first to Britain for President Klaus since the Czech Republic joined the European Union in May this year.