BRUSSELS (BELGIUM) – European Union leaders were forced to extend their summit to Sunday after they failed to strike a deal on a huge stimulus fund to kickstart their economies which have been hit hard by the virus despite two days of talks. They are also looking at ways to iron out differences.
When the 27 leaders left for their hotels after a late dinner, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron remained in the bloc’s headquarters to bargain with the Netherlands-led camp of thrifty countries demanding slashes to the 1.8-trillion-euro (1.64 trillion-pound) package.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “The negotiations were heated.” His country is one of the bloc’s most affected members and Rome is desperately seeking generous help from the EU. “Europe is under the blackmail of the ‘frugals’.”
“We have to do all what is possible to reach a deal tomorrow. Further delays are not useful to anybody.”
Charles Michel, who chairs the summit, was due to hand new proposals before the 27 reconvene at noon (1000 GMT) on Sunday.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
