Germany wants UK as 'EU partner'

“Germany's foreign minister has suggested it can resolve differences with the UK over the future of Europe.

After holding talks with his British counterpart William Hague, Guido Westerwelle said he wanted to "build bridges over troubled waters".

Asked about the prospect of the UK eventually signing an EU-wide pact, he said "with goodwill it is doable".

But Mr Hague said the UK would not set aside its demands for safeguards on regulation for the City of London.

The UK has been asked to sit in on talks about formalising moves towards fiscal union among EU members - despite vetoing an EU treaty change to facilitate this.”