If Mr Romano Prodi wanted to make a good impression on Eurosceptic Britain, he made an excellent start with his approach to a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.
Mr Prodi took a scheduled flight to Gatwick Airport, caught the train into the city centre and hailed a taxi from the station to Downing Street. There he announced himself to the policeman at the gates and carried his own bag to the doors of No 10.
Then, after his one-hour meeting with Mr Blair, Mr Prodi carried his bag back to a waiting taxi to begin the return journey.
The thrifty approach won over even the Daily Telegraph, which called it "a refreshing example" after the fraud and corruption scandal that engulfed the EU earlier this year.