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| Germany raises EU treaty pressure | Germany raises EU treaty pressure |
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| Germany has threatened to call a conference to draft a new EU treaty without Poland's consent, as talks at a summit in Brussels reached an impasse. | Germany has threatened to call a conference to draft a new EU treaty without Poland's consent, as talks at a summit in Brussels reached an impasse. |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Poland could "join the consensus" later after it continued to object to a proposed new voting system. | |
| Late on Friday, officials at the summit said Warsaw was close to compromising. | |
| The talks aim to agree on a treaty to replace the failed EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in 2005. | The talks aim to agree on a treaty to replace the failed EU constitution, which was rejected by voters in 2005. |
| A British spokesman said the latest proposal involved a new voting system being fully adopted by 2017. | A British spokesman said the latest proposal involved a new voting system being fully adopted by 2017. |
| The spokesman said there would be no change until 2014, then a three year transition period until a "double majority" system was adopted. | The spokesman said there would be no change until 2014, then a three year transition period until a "double majority" system was adopted. |
| This would require not just a 55% majority of EU countries for a change to be approved, but also at least 65% of the bloc's population. | This would require not just a 55% majority of EU countries for a change to be approved, but also at least 65% of the bloc's population. |
| Earlier, a preliminary agreement struck in Brussels with the Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, was blocked by his twin brother Jaroslaw, the prime minister. | Earlier, a preliminary agreement struck in Brussels with the Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, was blocked by his twin brother Jaroslaw, the prime minister. |
| Speaking on Polish television, Jaroslaw Kaczynski said talks "had hit a wall". | Speaking on Polish television, Jaroslaw Kaczynski said talks "had hit a wall". |
| 'Red lines' | 'Red lines' |
| Despite intensive debate during the ongoing two-day summit, the Polish government has refused to budge on its demand for a radical rethink of the proposed voting system. | Despite intensive debate during the ongoing two-day summit, the Polish government has refused to budge on its demand for a radical rethink of the proposed voting system. |
| AIMS OF THE SUMMIT To replace, and reduce, the EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005To simplify voting procedures in an expanded EUTo replace the six-month rotating presidency of the EU with a full-time figurehead, chosen by membersA foreign policy supremo to give the EU increased weight on the international stage Sticking points and objectors Struggle for scraps of news Send us your comments | AIMS OF THE SUMMIT To replace, and reduce, the EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005To simplify voting procedures in an expanded EUTo replace the six-month rotating presidency of the EU with a full-time figurehead, chosen by membersA foreign policy supremo to give the EU increased weight on the international stage Sticking points and objectors Struggle for scraps of news Send us your comments |
| Mrs Merkel, who holds the EU presidency until the end of June, said that in the light of the Polish rejection it was important to take action to avoid "leaving Europe to mark time". | Mrs Merkel, who holds the EU presidency until the end of June, said that in the light of the Polish rejection it was important to take action to avoid "leaving Europe to mark time". |
| The BBC's Johnny Dymond in Brussels says the move by the German government is a sign of their frustration. | The BBC's Johnny Dymond in Brussels says the move by the German government is a sign of their frustration. |
| The inter-governmental conference is the body that is charged with drafting the EU's reform treaties, traditionally created with the unanimous agreement of member states. | The inter-governmental conference is the body that is charged with drafting the EU's reform treaties, traditionally created with the unanimous agreement of member states. |
| To do so without Poland's agreement is almost inconceivable, our correspondent says. | To do so without Poland's agreement is almost inconceivable, our correspondent says. |
| Diplomats are being very cautious about the German proposal, described as quite premature by one, while others say the suggestion is designed simply to put pressure on Poland. | Diplomats are being very cautious about the German proposal, described as quite premature by one, while others say the suggestion is designed simply to put pressure on Poland. |
| Various solutions have been offered to try to overcome Poland's objections to the new voting system, which Warsaw says would give too much influence to Germany. | Various solutions have been offered to try to overcome Poland's objections to the new voting system, which Warsaw says would give too much influence to Germany. |
| As President Kaczynski continued tough talks in Brussels, his brother said the offer on the table, that would have delayed introducing a new voting system for seven more years, was "far too little to be acceptable". | As President Kaczynski continued tough talks in Brussels, his brother said the offer on the table, that would have delayed introducing a new voting system for seven more years, was "far too little to be acceptable". |
| Speaking live on Polish television, Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Poland was open to compromise but that "one cannot give way all the time". | Speaking live on Polish television, Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Poland was open to compromise but that "one cannot give way all the time". |
| 'Fresh crisis' | 'Fresh crisis' |
| Britain meanwhile, seen as the other problem country, is also trying to get water-tight guarantees that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which could give workers extra rights to strike, will not apply to the UK. | Britain meanwhile, seen as the other problem country, is also trying to get water-tight guarantees that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which could give workers extra rights to strike, will not apply to the UK. |
| Britain also wants to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs. | Britain also wants to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs. |
| The British negotiating machine has been shambolic, according to one insider BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words Q&A: Changing constitution | The British negotiating machine has been shambolic, according to one insider BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words Q&A: Changing constitution |
| Earlier, the UK and others asked for clarification on why reference to the EU's commitment to free competition had been dropped from the draft treaty at the request of the French. | Earlier, the UK and others asked for clarification on why reference to the EU's commitment to free competition had been dropped from the draft treaty at the request of the French. |
| "The notion that this in any shape or form changes the legal basis of the internal market and the way the European economy works and the Commission's powers in relation to it is wrong," said Mr Blair, adding that a protocol would be added to the treaty. | "The notion that this in any shape or form changes the legal basis of the internal market and the way the European economy works and the Commission's powers in relation to it is wrong," said Mr Blair, adding that a protocol would be added to the treaty. |
| EU leaders have struck other compromises, including the job title of a new EU foreign policy chief. | EU leaders have struck other compromises, including the job title of a new EU foreign policy chief. |
| The post-holder will not be called a minister, as in the European Constitution, but High Representative of the EU, and will combine the job of the vice-president of the European Commission, which comes with a significant aid budget and staff. | The post-holder will not be called a minister, as in the European Constitution, but High Representative of the EU, and will combine the job of the vice-president of the European Commission, which comes with a significant aid budget and staff. |
| A draft treaty submitted for debate at the summit makes several concessions to EU member states that had opposed key parts of the planned constitution. | A draft treaty submitted for debate at the summit makes several concessions to EU member states that had opposed key parts of the planned constitution. |
| Proposed changes include: | Proposed changes include: |
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| Correspondents say failure to reach a deal on the treaty would 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 to reach a deal on the treaty would plunge the EU into a fresh crisis as deep as the one that followed the rejection of the constitution two years ago. |