Juncker says Europe is not America's subsidiary

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on early Saturday morning that Europe is not America's "subsidiary."

Juncker, whose country is holding current European Union (EU) presidency, made the comment after Britain, which to take over the EU presidency after June, refused making concession on its rebate which resulted in no deal on the EU budget plan from 2007-2013.

"The EU does not depend on others," Juncker told the press conference after the EU summit when asked to comment on the upcoming British presidency, a country that is famous for being close to the United States.

Juncker attributed the failure of the budget plan deal to difference of "two visions" and "two paths" about Europe, hinting Britain keeps distance from Europe.

"We would not push our position that far," he stressed.

The EU leaders made a marathon debate on the budget plan from Friday morning till Saturday, aiming to strike an agreement so as to avoid another crisis after the ratification crisis of the EU constitution.

Because Britain refused to make concession on its rebate, the Luxembourg presidency "found it difficult" to reach an agreement, and the summit ended without a deal.

Source: Xinhua