Eurozone-only deal 'not enough' to calm markets, says PM Tusk

PM Tusk in Brussels last night: photo - EPA/Oliver Hoslet

“The eurozone countries and a group of 'euro plus' nations have come to an agreement. But this is not significant enough to calm markets,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters after talks ran late into the night at the EU summit in Brussels, Thursday.

“The sceptical British” vetoed a deal taxing financial services in all 27 nations of the EU, Tusk added, leaving just the 17 eurozone members plus six nations, including Poland, which aim to join the single currency group, to try and forge a deal to further integrate finance policy and create greater fiscal discipline in the eurozone.

“This is certainly an important result in that most nations reached agreement, but British scepticism has cast a shadow on that agreement,” a concerned PM Tusk has said.

The British prime minister was unrepentant, however. “We wish them [eurozone states] well because we want everyone to sort out their problems because we all need that growth. But at the end of the day I made my judgement that it was not in Britain's interests [to take part in the deal]. I effectively wielded the veto," PM David Cameron said.

The UK and Hungary will play no part in a future deal and the Czech Republic and Sweden will consult national parliaments. But Poland and other CEE countries will take part in negotiations this Friday at the two-day summit in Brussels.

Croatia will also sign its EU accession agreement today so it can join the bloc in July next year.

EU leaders will also discuss Serbia's application to join the union. (pg)

Listen to our audio report by John Beauchamp on the choices open to the leaders of the 27-nation bloc.