Merkel’s sacrifices secure fragile triumph

EU heads of state and government took important decisions to strengthen the euro at the European Council, Brussels, 28 - 29 October 2010. They endorsed the final report of the Task Force on Economic Governance and agreed on the need for a permanent crisis mechanism for the euro area.

This will necessitate a treaty change, as agreed earlier by France and Germany, which raises fears amongst other EU Member States.

EurActiv, 29.10.10: EU countries still divided over voting rights issue http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/eu-countries-divided-voting-righ-news-499321

EUObserver, 29.10.10: 'Small, small, small' EU treaty change to deliver 'quantum leap' http://euobserver.com/9/31163

El País, 29.10.10: They’re leading us to the abyss (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/373081-they-re-leading-us-abyss

ESO: Background information: Eurozone needs a permanent bail-out fund http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurozone-needs-a-permanent-bail-out-fund/

European Council: Presidency Conclusions, 28-29 October 2010 http://consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/117496.pdf

BBC News, 29.10.10: EU leaders frame eurozone crisis rules http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11649448

France24, 29.10.10: EU leaders back new budget rules to stave off crises http://www.france24.com/en/20101029-eu-leaders-back-france-germany-plans-lisbon-treaty-change-brussels-summit-crises

EUObserver, 28.10.10: EU leaders give green light to tweak treaty http://euobserver.com/9/31154

Deutsche Welle, 29.10.10: EU leaders agree to 'limited' changes to bloc's main treaty http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6163764,00.html

BBC News, 29.10.10: EU leaders clinch pact to defend euro http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11652601

Deutsche Welle, 29.10.10: Merkel and Sarkozy achieve only a minor success in Brussels http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6174238,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 29.10.10: EU Agrees to Merkel's Controversial Euro Reforms http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,726103,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 29.10.10: European Press Wary of Lisbon Treaty Reform http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,726208,00.html

ESO: Background information: EU deal opens treaties for renegotiation http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-deal-opens-treaties-for-renegotiation/

Task Force on Economic Governance: Strengthening economic governance in the EU. Report of the Task Force to the European Council, Brussels, 21 October 2010 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/117236.pdf

ESO: Background information: Germany to set out ‘crisis resolution’ plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-to-set-out-crisis-resolution-plan/

EurActiv, 29.10.10: EU leaders back 'limited' treaty change, budget cap http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/eu-leaders-back-limited-treaty-c-news-499297

EurActiv: Links Dossier: The EU's economic governance: Rewriting the rulebook http://www.euractiv.com/euro/the-eu-s-economic-governance-rewriting-the-rulebook-linksdossier-496816

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