GERMANY: Czech Republic says that European Union members are finding common ground on the missile shield project

Record ID: 860060

  • Title: GERMANY: Czech Republic says that European Union members are finding common ground on the missile shield project
  • Date: 12th May 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (German) FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYING: "We don't want to make a secret out of it. Now that the German EU presidency is nearing its end it's important to focus on a positive end to the great European reform project. The European constitution is dear to all of us. One or the other might not want to call it that and some might suggest changes to it." REPORTER'S NOTEPAD CAMERA OPERATOR FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (German) FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYING: "I believe we agree, Karel, that the renewal of the European institutions and the acceleration of decision-making in the European institutions must not be aborted. That's why we're eagerly developing a proposal which hopefully will be approved by all 27 member countries at the June summit - and we believe it will."
  • Embargoed: 27th May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: European Union,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA35L5V33Z1J7YCUTO23EF1148W
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg indicates during a visit to Berlin that members of the European Union are finding common ground on the missile shield project.

    At a meeting on Friday (May 11) with his German counterpart, Czech Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg indicated that ongoing talks on various EU issues were progressing.
    Regarding a missile shield, Schwarzenberg said, "We are handing out all the relevant information to our neighbours and partners and in my view, discussions are progressing well."
    "Of course there are sometimes differing positions but as discussions are currently going, I would say positions are nearing each other," added Schwarzenberg.
    On the issue of a renewal of European institutions, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was equally hopeful.
    "I believe we agree, Karel, that the renewal of the European institutions and the acceleration of decision-making in the European institutions must not be aborted. That's why we're eagerly developing a proposal which hopefully will be approved by all 27 member countries at the June summit - and we believe it will.
    Germany presently holds the EU presidency.
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