Plan aims to avert EU rows with US

THE Government is preparing a system to head off disagreements between the European Union and the United States as a major plank in its aim to improve relations.

The relationship was seriously damaged by the dispute over the invasion of Iraq and by a series of trade wars, several of which are still ongoing.

The Government plans to have the early warning system devised in time for the EU-US summit in June, which it hopes will take place in Ireland and be attended by US President George W Bush.