Merkel to address MEPs

Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament, has announced that Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany will travel to Brussels to address MEPs on 7 November.  

A spokesman for the German government confirmed the visit and said Merkel would visit the European Parliament only, out of respect for the institution.  

A diplomat suggested that Merkel's visit is to be seen in the context of contentious negotiations on the EU's next multi-annual financial framework, which are supposed to be wrapped up at a special summit of national leaders on 22-23 November.  

There have been rumours that Merkel will threaten to cancel the summit unless David Cameron, Britain's prime minister, drops his absolute opposition to any increase in the EU's multi-annual budget.