European Union leaders are hoping to overcome a series of disagreements to reach a deal for a new EU treaty at their annual summit in Brussels.
If a compromise fails to find support, it's feared the EU will face a more serious crisis than in 2005 when French and Dutch voters rejected the proposed Constitution. The new draft cuts the Constitution significantly and would allow France, the Netherlands and Britain to avoid a referendum. Yet, a number of countries oppose parts of the new treaty. Britain disagrees with what it sees as generous social security provisions and the proposal to give power to a new EU Foreign Minister post. Poland has threatened to veto the draft because of changes to the EU voting system that would reduce its political influence. Yet, it has promised not to use it as long as the country receives a bigger say in the bloc's deliberations in other areas.