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EU leaders meet for vital summit EU summit braced for treaty rows
(40 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 subjectTouchy subject
Poland's Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has suggested that his country deserves an increased share of voting rights 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 an increased share of voting rights because of the millions of Poles killed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
He argues that his country would be a much larger country now if not for thewar, 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.
Many are watching us, not only in Europe. It is important... that we make every effort to reach agreement Angela MerkelGerman Chancellor class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6227834.stm">Polish war of words class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6222882.stm">EU summit sticking points class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6225580.stm">Q&A: Charter of Fundamental Rights 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 for an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, a European foreign minister, and any EU-wide rules on taxation or common law.These include proposals for an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, a European foreign minister, and any EU-wide rules on taxation or common law.
'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.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the BBC that any deal struck in Brussels should be ratified in the UK without a referendum, a move opinion polls suggest could end in rejection. Failure would almost amount to humiliation for Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/">Mardell's thoughts in full class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6227834.stm">Polish war of words class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6222882.stm">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.
Failure would almost amount to humiliation for Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/">Mardell's thoughts in full He told Radio 4's Today programme that suggestions that ratifying an EU treaty in parliament would be ratification "by the back door" were wide of the mark. The German draft paper removes any mention of the word "constitution", accepts that there will be no EU-wide foreign minister, and provides countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law.
"Britain is the country that exported parliamentary democracy to the world. Do the British people consider parliament the backdoor?" The Netherlands and the Czech Republic also have concerns about the treaty.
"Is that the respect some people show their parliament, maybe the greatest parliament in the world? I don't consider parliament the back door."
Mr Barroso, who has urged EU members not to stand in the way of a deal in Brussels, also said the new treaty would be create "an open Europe, a modern Europe, a Europe that is efficient".
Potential crisis
The German paper proposes that the new treaty is called "The Reform Treaty", accepts that the EU will not have a "foreign minister", and provides countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law.
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 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.
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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6629&&&edition=1&ttl=20070620220825">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.