Britain to host G-20 meeting in April

Brown told the House of Commons that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama expects to travel to the one-day talks among members of the G-20 grouping.

The talks will follow up on a summit in Washington earlier this month, which critics said was hampered by having the outgoing President George W. Bush as host.

Some skeptics claimed that meeting produced only sketchy outcomes, with leaders promising to examine more detailed plans for the reform of international organizations and tighter regulation of banks next year.

Talks in London will scrutinize the bloc's vows to cooperate more closely, toughen supervision of the world's largest financial institutions and to give bigger roles in decision-making to fast-rising nations.

The meeting could be Obama's first visit to Europe, coming a day ahead of a planned NATO 60th anniversary summit in France and Germany which leaders of the military bloc's members--including the incoming U.S. chief--are expected to attend.

Brown's office said the meeting on April 2 would likely include just members of the G-20, unlike the Washington talks, which offered seats to Spain and four international organizations.

"It will deal with the major questions of economic actions that are necessary," Brown said. "I have spoken to the incoming U.S. administration and President-elect Obama expects to come to Britain at that time."

NATO's 60th anniversary summit is being held jointly by the neighboring cities of Strasbourg, in France, and Kehl, Germany, from April 3. NATO leaders, including Brown and Obama, plan to travel directly from London to the military summit, Brown's Downing Street office said.

Included in the G-20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the United States. The 27-nation European Union bloc is also a member of the grouping.