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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| EU summit braced for treaty rows | EU summit braced for treaty rows |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels to debate a new treaty to establish how the 27-member bloc is run in the 21st Century. | European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels to debate a new treaty to establish how the 27-member bloc is run in the 21st Century. |
| Germany, which holds the EU presidency, has called for a fair deal to replace a planned constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. | Germany, which holds the EU presidency, has called for a fair deal to replace a planned constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. |
| But the summit is expected to be tense, with the UK and Poland both threatening to use their vetoes. | But the summit is expected to be tense, with the UK and Poland both threatening to use their vetoes. |
| The UK opposes any growth of EU powers, while Poland wants more voting rights. | The UK opposes any growth of EU powers, while Poland wants more voting rights. |
| The draft paper tabled by Germany makes several concessions to EU member states opposed to key parts of the failed constitution. | The draft paper tabled by Germany makes several concessions to EU member states opposed to key parts of the failed constitution. |
| But both the British Prime Minister Tony Blair - attending his final EU meeting before leaving office next week - and his Polish counterpart have taken a hard line during the run-up to the summit. | But both the British Prime Minister Tony Blair - attending his final EU meeting before leaving office next week - and his Polish counterpart have taken a hard line during the run-up to the summit. |
| Touchy subject | Touchy subject |
| Poland's Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has suggested that his country deserves a greater share of voting rights than it is being offered because of the millions of Poles killed by Nazi Germany during World War II. | Poland's Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has suggested that his country deserves a greater share of voting rights than it is being offered because of the millions of Poles killed by Nazi Germany during World War II. |
| Tony Blair is a veteran of 10 years of European negotiationsHe argues that his country would be a much larger country now if not for the war, and would therefore qualify for stronger voting rights. | Tony Blair is a veteran of 10 years of European negotiationsHe argues that his country would be a much larger country now if not for the war, and would therefore qualify for stronger voting rights. |
| Fellow leaders have dismissed Mr Kaczynski's assertion, some suggesting that his main motivation was a desire to scupper German plans. | Fellow leaders have dismissed Mr Kaczynski's assertion, some suggesting that his main motivation was a desire to scupper German plans. |
| Mr Blair has set out four "red lines" which the UK government regards as unacceptable. | Mr Blair has set out four "red lines" which the UK government regards as unacceptable. |
| These include proposals to include the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the constitution and make it legally binding, and the term "European foreign minister". | These include proposals to include the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the constitution and make it legally binding, and the term "European foreign minister". |
| 'No danger' | 'No danger' |
| The BBC's Europe correspondent Oana Lungescu says the threat of failure hangs over this summit even as it begins. | The BBC's Europe correspondent Oana Lungescu says the threat of failure hangs over this summit even as it begins. |
| Failure would almost amount to humiliation for Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words EU summit sticking points | Failure would almost amount to humiliation for Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words EU summit sticking points |
| European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned all member nations to be open to a compromise, and has suggested that the draft treaty would be a "good deal" for the UK. | European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned all member nations to be open to a compromise, and has suggested that the draft treaty would be a "good deal" for the UK. |
| The German draft paper removes any mention of the word "constitution", accepts that the title of EU-wide foreign minister will not be used, and provides countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law. | The German draft paper removes any mention of the word "constitution", accepts that the title of EU-wide foreign minister will not be used, and provides countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law. |
| The Netherlands and the Czech Republic also have concerns about the treaty. | The Netherlands and the Czech Republic also have concerns about the treaty. |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel says every member nation will have their issues addressed at the summit. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel says every member nation will have their issues addressed at the summit. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY What kind of democracy is this when our own leaders are doing deals behind our backs? Philip Davies, UK Send us your comments But she too urged leaders to move towards a deal. | HAVE YOUR SAY What kind of democracy is this when our own leaders are doing deals behind our backs? Philip Davies, UK Send us your comments But she too urged leaders to move towards a deal. |
| "Many are watching us, not only in Europe," she said. | "Many are watching us, not only in Europe," she said. |
| "It is important that we don't drag on too long and that we make every effort to reach an agreement." | "It is important that we don't drag on too long and that we make every effort to reach an agreement." |
| Correspondents say failure will plunge the EU into a fresh crisis as deep as the one that followed the rejection of the constitution two years ago. | Correspondents say failure will plunge the EU into a fresh crisis as deep as the one that followed the rejection of the constitution two years ago. |
| In one early decision, leaders agreed to allow Cyprus and Malta to adopt the European single currency, the euro, beginning in January 2007. |