Brussels, 07.02.13: On her arrival at the European Council building in Brussels Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a statement to the waiting journalists.
In the office of the German delegation the Chancellor consults with her staff.
In the European Commission briefing room journalists await the start of the first working session. They don't know yet that the start will be delayed by six hours.
Before the first working session begins, the heads of government have the opportunity to meet in private. Angela Merkel speaks here with the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, ...
... with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte ...
... and with the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The deliberations of the European Council are to focus on the EU's budget for the next seven years.
On the sidelines of the official talks Federal Foreign Office specialists calculate the impacts of the various budget proposals.
Before the first working session starts, Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to European Parliament President Martin Schulz.
Angela Merkel in discussion with French President François Hollande and the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz
Deliberations over the EU's multiannual financial framework go on well into the early hours of the morning. Germany intends to do all it can to make the meeting a success, says the Chancellor.
On the second day of the summit meeting the Chancellor once again meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
A last few words for Angela Merkel and François Hollande when they meet at the lifts after the end of the Council meeting
At the final press conference Angela Merkel declared herself satisfied with the outcome of the European Council meeting.
The aircraft is ready as the Chancellor and her delegation drive out to it through the snow at Brussels-Abelag Airport.