German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, speak with Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, second right, and Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin, right, during a round table meeting on Saturday. The atmosphere “was grumpier” as the talks went on, Dutch Prime Minister Rutte said after Friday’s marathon talks. That comes on top of the seven-year 1-trillion-euro EU budget that leaders were fighting over when the coronavirus slammed the continent. Another diplomat described Michel’s new proposals as just the first step in what could be a long journey to agreement. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis was pessimistic after the first day.

Source: The Standard July 18, 2020 13:07 UTC