Nice: France offers fresh formula

By Vaiju Naravane

NICE (FRANCE), DEC. 10.The first glimmer of a breakthrough appeared at the deadlocked E.U. summit which entered its fourth day today, when Germany gave up its demand for an increased number of votes to better reflect the strength of its 82 million inhabitants. This was disclosed by the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mrs. Benita Ferrero Waldner, here today.

French leaders once again worked throughout the night to come up with a third compromise document to break the stalemate. The meeting is focusing on ways to reform its institutions, particularly the voting systems and decision-making processes to open the Union to 14 members starting 2003.

France submitted a new compromise which maintains the voting parity between it and Germany and gives more votes to the Netherlands and Spain. Smaller nations have been skittish about the French proposals as they fear increased domination by Europe's big four, namely France, Germany, Britain and Italy.

Portuguese Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, told journalists that French proposals were ``humiliating'' to smaller nations and would increase the concentration of power in the hands of the big four or five nations.

The summit was to have ended on Saturday but it is now feared that talks will drag on until Monday.

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Section  : International
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