Germany urges EU leaders to show flexibility

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder expects his fellow European leaders to show flexibility on the EU’s future budget and live up to “the significance of the situation” at this week’s summit, a spokesman for the German leader said today.

During a round of crisis diplomacy over recent days, Schroeder has repeatedly urged his counterparts to set aside “national egotism” and reach agreement on EU funding. Still, spokesman Thomas Steg said he couldn’t predict whether a deal would be reached.

“The chancellor did not offer any forecasts” at a cabinet meeting today, Steg said, adding that a deal would require a “readiness to compromise from all involved.”

“He is going in with an expectation that all his colleagues be aware of the significance of the situation and of their respective responsibility, and that they be prepared in this difficult phase to show good sense in Brussels,” Steg said.