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Poland pressed on EU treaty deal Poland pressed on EU treaty deal
(about 2 hours later)
Germany's chancellor is stepping up efforts to broker a compromise with Poland over a draft treaty to replace the failed EU Constitution. Germany's chancellor has threatened to exclude Poland from negotiations on a draft EU treaty if Warsaw does not compromise on planned voting reforms.
Angela Merkel met Polish President Lech Kaczynski three times in 12 hours, in a bid to overcome objections to planned changes to the EU voting system. Angela Merkel's spokesman said Poland would have "an opportunity to join the consensus" later this year.
Polish officials have put forward a "last-chance" proposal but admitted that a compromise may not be possible. 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".
The original treaty perished when Dutch and French voters rejected it in 2005.The original treaty perished when Dutch and French voters rejected it in 2005.
'Red lines''Red lines'
The German chancellor, who holds the EU presidency until the end of June, has held one-on-one meetings with the leaders of Poland, the UK, the Netherlands and Czech Republic, in a bid to overcome objections to how the EU should be run. The German chancellor, who holds the EU presidency until the end of June, met President Kaczynski three times in 12 hours, in a bid to overcome objections to planned changes to the EU voting system.
"We're working hard. The problems are not yet solved but everyone is trying," said Ms Merkel.
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 commentsAIMS 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
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 twin brother and Prime Minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, said the offer on the table from Germany was "unacceptable". As President Kaczynski continued tough talks in Brussels, his twin brother Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said the offer on the table was "far too little to be acceptable".
Speaking live on Polish television, Mr Kaczynski said Poland was still open to compromise but that "one cannot give way all the time".Speaking live on Polish television, Mr Kaczynski said Poland was still open to compromise but that "one cannot give way all the time".
There was alarm in some quarters after the Polish president said the reason his country did not have a larger population - and therefore greater voting power - was that so many Poles were killed by Germans in World War II.There was alarm in some quarters after the Polish president said the reason his country did not have a larger population - and therefore greater voting power - was that so many Poles were killed by Germans in World War II.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair - attending his final EU meeting before leaving office next week - has set out a number of "red lines" beyond which he will not compromise.British Prime Minister Tony Blair - attending his final EU meeting before leaving office next week - has set out a number of "red lines" beyond which he will not compromise.
These include proposals to make the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding. Britain also wants to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs.These include proposals to make the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding. Britain also wants to maintain national control over foreign policy, justice and home affairs.
In a last minute complication, the UK and others asked for clarification on why a key reference to the EU's commitment to free competition had been dropped from the draft treaty at the request of the French. The UK and others asked for clarification on why a key 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.
'Fresh crisis''Fresh crisis'
There has been broad agreement on the job title of a new EU foreign policy chief.There has been broad agreement on the job title of a new EU foreign policy chief.
The British Government seems none too worried about Mr Sarkozy ripping out references to 'free trade' and 'competition' BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words Q&A: Changing constitutionThe British Government seems none too worried about Mr Sarkozy ripping out references to 'free trade' and 'competition' BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Mardell's thoughts in full Polish war of words Q&A: Changing constitution
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.
Leaders have also agreed to allow Cyprus and Malta to adopt the European single currency, the euro, beginning in January 2008.Leaders have also agreed to allow Cyprus and Malta to adopt the European single currency, the euro, beginning in January 2008.
The BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels says the Germans are expected to table new proposals and, according to one diplomat, there is some optimism a compromise formula could be agreed over dinner.
The document makes several concessions to EU member states that had opposed key parts of the planned constitution.The document makes several concessions to EU member states that had opposed key parts of the planned constitution.
Proposed changes include:Proposed changes include:
  • Removing any mention of the word "constitution"
  • Providing countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law
  • New voting system to approve decisions
  • Full-time president of European Council instead of current system where members take six-month turns
  • New foreign affairs head and a smaller commission
  • Removing any mention of the word "constitution"
  • Providing countries with a chance to opt out of EU policies in the area of policing and criminal law
  • New voting system to approve decisions
  • Full-time president of European Council instead of current system where members take six-month turns
  • New foreign affairs head and a smaller commission
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.