EU leaders discuss budget and fate of constitution at Brussels summit

European Union leaders are attending a summit on Thursday and Friday in Brussels to discuss the fate of the EU constitution and try to reach an agreement on the Union's contested budget for 2007-2013. Before the meeting, Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, for whom this is the first official visit to Brussels as prime minister, met with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to reassure them of the continuity of the Czech Republic's position in NATO and the EU.

Mr Paroubek also appealed that the ratification process of the European Union constitution continue but that the period be extended beyond 2006 to give the countries more time for reflection. With regards to the European budget, the Czech prime minister says he aims to achieve the best terms for the Czech Republic.