A EU summit meeting ended in failure and mutual recriminations early yesterday morning, after the collapse of negotiations over plans for a budget.
Reflecting the turmoil after a series of political setbacks in recent weeks, leaders of the EU lashed out at one another, reinforcing the view that the half-century process of European integration may be over.
"My enthusiasm for Europe has suffered a profound shock," said Jean-Claude Juncker, Luxembourg's prime minister, after the talks broke down. "People will tell you that Europe is not in crisis. It is in a deep crisis."
PHOTO: AP
That statement was echoed by French President Jacques Chirac.
"It's a bad result for Europe," he said after the meeting ended, adding, "Europe is in a serious crisis."
The major obstacle was a standoff between Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Chirac demanded that Britain give up part of the annual refund of billions of dollars a year that it has received from the EU for more than two decades.
Blair refused to consider any reduction in the refund unless there was a corresponding cut in agricultural subsidies paid by the EU. France receives about US$13 billion in annual farm subsidies, more than any other member.
The failure, which came a day after the leaders shelved the ratification of their first constitution in history, left many officials here predicting that the EU is likely to enter into a period of paralysis and self-doubt as member countries decide to what extent they must put national interests and domestic politics before common goals.
Summit meetings at the EU are usually staid affairs. But this time the leaders made no effort to conceal their rage.
"I hate to see grown men bickering at each other," Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said.
He called the debate among the leaders over money "pathetic and embarrassing."
Chirac accused Britain of refusing to compromise and of damaging the integration of the bloc's 10 new members last year by selfishly refusing to agree to earmark money from the new budget to them.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stood behind Chirac. He attributed the impasse to "the stubbornness" of Britain and the Netherlands, and in particular he accused Britain of "not helping the new countries."
The Dutch prime minister expressed disappointment that Schroeder did not support him.
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