EU negotiations The danger of rhetoric

European politicians seem to be in the middle of an orgy of negativity. Irreconcilable French and British demands on the EU budget make an acrimonious discussion almost inevitable on Friday. No agreement is expected. But it is not only the traditional cross-Channel rivals who are talking down Europe. The traditionally pro-European Dutch are upping their budget demands and one member of the Italian cabinet has called for an Italian withdrawal from the euro. Of course, bad-mouthing Brussels has b...