GERMANY: SPANISH AND GERMAN LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE FAILED TO NARROW DIFFERENCES OVER CHANGES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION VOTING SYSTEM

Record ID: 647476

  • Title: GERMANY: SPANISH AND GERMAN LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE FAILED TO NARROW DIFFERENCES OVER CHANGES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION VOTING SYSTEM
  • Date: 4th November 2003
  • Summary: (U4) BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 4, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. WIDE OF CHANCELLERY 0.06 2. SOLDIER AND FLAG; GERMAN CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER AND FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER WALKING OUT TO MEET SPANISH DELEGATION/ CU SCHROEDER (2 SHOTS) 0.22 3. GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER GREETING SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR AT CHANCELLERY 0.33 4. VARIOUS VIEWS MILITARY HONOURS (4 SHOTS) 1.04 5. VARIOUS: SCHROEDER AND AZNAR AT MEETING (3 SHOTS) 1.25 6. ASSEMBLED MEDIA 1.28 7. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER, SAYING "We are of different opinions on one important point and that is the weight of the votes in the European Council. Germany supports the position of the convent. In Germany we think it is important that not only to take into account the equality of the countries but also the different sizes of the populations." 2.01 8. NEWS CONFERENCE 2.06 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR, SAYING: "There is much agreement between Germany and Spain in many European issues. There are, however, differences in questions of the constitution. We will remain in discussion about those and come to a mutual understanding." 2.37 10. NEWS CONFERENCE 2.42 11. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER, SAYING "The stability pact is not just called "stability pact" but rather "stability and growth pact", which is sometimes overlooked even by the diplomatic correspondents but it should not be overlooked. In certain situations it is important and correct to stress the "growth" part of the stability pact." 3.05 12. WS/SV'S: PRESSER; JOURNALISTS (3 SHOTS) 3.12 13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR, SAYING "I congratulated the Spanish crown Prince Felipe and his fiance Letizia Ortiz, as well as the King and Queen of Spain. I just wanted to repeat that this is very happy news for all Spanish people." 3.42 14. WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE 3.44 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 19th November 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA6JCJOWKP0ZR8A0RMR2FQB7J3L
  • Story Text: Germany and Spain have said they had failed to
    narrow differences over changes to the European Union
    voting system.


    The leaders of Germany and Spain have said they had
    failed to narrow differences over changes to the European
    Union voting system set out in a draft constitution but
    hoped the matter could be settled in December.

    Speaking at a news conference after a two-day
    German-Spanish summit on Tuesday (November 4) in Berlin,
    Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said the main sticking point
    remained Madrid's objections to a simplified voting system
    that would boost the power of the four big states.

    "We are of different opinions on one important point
    and that is the weight of the votes in the European
    Council. Germany supports the position of the convent. In
    Germany we think it is important that not only to take into
    account the equality of the countries but also the
    different sizes of the populations," Schroeder said.

    Under the proposed new constitution, to be discussed at
    an EU summit on December 13, most issues would be decided
    by a simple majority of states representing 60 percent of
    the EU's population, increasing the weight of the most
    populous members Germany, Britain, France and Italy.

    Poland the biggest of the 10 mostly eastern European
    countries set to join the bloc next year and Spain want
    to keep a complex voting system agreed in Nice in 2000
    which gives them more influence than a population-weighted
    system.

    Both Schroeder and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria
    Aznar said they hoped for a deal during Italy's tenure as
    holder of the rotating EU presidency which ends in December.

    Aznar said Madrid was working hard for a compromise
    "We both want to arrive at a conclusion before the end of
    the year."
    "We will remain in discussion about those and come to a
    mutual understanding," Aznar said.

    The Spanish Prime Minister also congratulated Spain's
    royal family on their latest news.

    Spain's heir-to-the-throne Prince Felipe is to marry
    television presenter Letizia Ortiz.

    "I congratulated the Spanish crown Prince Felipe and
    his fianc Letizia Ortiz, as well as the King and Queen of
    Spain. I just wanted to repeat that this is very happy news
    for all Spanish people," Anzar said.

    The Royal Palace announced the engagement on Saturday,
    surprising nearly everyone in Spain and plunging the media
    into a royal wedding whirl.


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