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Brussels (dpa) - After a violent dispute with Hungary and Poland, the EU summit on Thursday should finally pave the way for the European budget package and Corona aid.
The basis is a compromise negotiated by Germany with both countries on the new rule of law clause, which the other EU states are now examining.
In addition, Chancellor Angela Merkel and her colleagues want to set a new EU climate target for 2030 and advise on possible Turkey sanctions.
The fight against the corona pandemic is also an issue.
The meeting is overshadowed by the Brexit dispute.
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This means that the heads of state and government are facing key decisions for the next few years.
For Merkel, it is an opportunity to complete important projects in three weeks' time before the end of the German EU Council Presidency.
"This summit will determine the balance sheet of this Council Presidency and the political legacy of Chancellor Merkel," said Green European politician Franziska Brantner of the German press agency.
Merkel shouldn't allow any lazy compromises.
BUDGET: Hungary and Poland blocked the € 1.8 trillion budget package including € 750 billion in Corona aid because they rejected a new rule of law mechanism.
Germany was looking for a compromise in the EU presidency.
According to this, an additional declaration should record the possibilities Hungary and Poland have to defend themselves against the use of the procedure for punishing violations of the rule of law.
The proposal was received positively by the other 24 countries, said an EU representative.
However, the decision rests with the heads of state and government.
The FDP European politician Nicola Beer warned the EU states with a view to the budget dispute to reconsider the principle of unanimity.
This systemic error is forcing the EU to its knees and repeatedly inducing political cow-bargaining at summits, said the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
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CLIMATE: According to the specifications of the Paris Agreement, the EU wants to set itself a new, more ambitious climate target: Instead of the 40 percent previously planned, greenhouse gases are to be reduced by at least 55 percent below the 1990 level by 2030.
Before the summit, however, not all 27 EU countries supported the goal.
Coal countries like Poland insist on financial aid.
That is why the decision on the climate target is closely related to a solution to the budget dispute, said diplomats.
TURKEY: How is the EU reacting to the ongoing provocations by the government in Ankara?
The heads of state and government want to give an answer to this question on Thursday evening.
Countries like France, Greece and Cyprus are pushing for the toughest possible course with painful EU sanctions up to and including a suspension of the customs union.
Germany among others is convinced that Turkey, for example, is needed as a partner in the fight against illegal migration and should not be alienated.
In the end, there could be a compromise to put more people and companies on the sanctions list because of the ongoing Turkish gas explorations in the eastern Mediterranean - combined with the signal that further provocations could lead to further punitive measures.
The CSU European politician Manfred Weber called for a sharper pace in the “Bild” newspaper (Thursday).
"The German and French governments should no longer rule out the possibility of putting already agreed arms deliveries on hold."
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CORONA: The EU states are continuing to strive to pull together in the fight against the pandemic.
In the summit declaration, they want to vow to coordinate the easing of restrictions on the way to normal travel.
The EU Commission is expected to provide recommendations on the use and mutual recognition of rapid antigen tests.
A vaccination certificate is also to be developed jointly.
FIGHT AGAINST TERROR: After the terrorist attacks in Vienna, Nice and Dresden, according to the draft, the EU states are relying on the controversial instrument of data retention - i.e. the storage of telephone and Internet connection data.
We must move forward in the fight against serious crime, respecting fundamental rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice.
At the same time, the latest attacks are condemned, as are attacks on freedom of expression and religion, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201210-99-637583 / 2