"Over the last few months, together we have made important progress for Europe. Only by sticking together can we successfully solve the problems that are high on the agenda of the Council of Europe". Angela Merkel, at the helm of the Berlin Government and president of the EU for the first six months of 2007, uses these words to invite the leaders of the member states to the summit which will open today, in the late afternoon, and which will officially end tomorrow. But the diplomats who have worked "behind the scenes" to solve the knotty problems of the Constitutional Treaty think the meeting might go on Saturday as well. The delegations of the 27 member states will arrive at the Justus Lipsius palace, in the heart of the "European district" of Brussels, at 5.30 pm. The heads of state and government will first discuss the adoption of the euro by Malta and Cyprus on January 1st 2008 along with the president of the Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet. The group photo will be followed by an exchange of opinions with Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the EU Parliament. The first session on the revision of the Treaty will be held at dinner. In the evening, the Foreign Ministers will discuss relations with the Balkans and the situation in Africa. "The talks will continue on Friday states Merkel -, then the conclusions of the European Council will be adopted".
