Mo. gov. leaves for 18-day European trade mission

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt will be traveling in Europe until the end of this month.

The governor's 18-day trade mission started Sunday and includes stops in Great Britain, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.

Blunt's office reports that he will attend the Farnborough Air show with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and defense leaders. Blunt then is scheduled speak to the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain and with German and Dutch business leaders.

Last, month Blunt scheduled a 12-day trip with stops in Montreal, Colorado, California and South Carolina. That trip was cut short to deal with Mississippi River flooding.

The European trade mission is being paid for by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit Missouri group that finances government economic development efforts.