[LONDON, England (CNN) -- Saying he is] very, very sorry ... handled sympathetically and quickly.

This wouldn't go on in New England.

I don't want anybody to underestimate the difficulties ahead,

to ensure that both sides stick by the commitments which we have already entered into.

There are now discussions taking place on other aspects of the negotiating framework, principally on this issue about absorption capacity and privileged partnership,

notwithstanding the great difficulties.