Foreign trips Negotiations on EU budget postponed The EU heads of state and government did not manage to reach an agreement on the EU’s budget for the next seven years at the special meeting of the European Council. The differences between the 27 EU member states are still too great, explained Chancellor Angela Merkel. The topic will be discussed again at a later date. 05 We want to be "good partners at South Africa's side" Chancellor Angela Merkel has visited two pro-reform countries in Africa: South Africa and Angola. Talks focused on cooperation in the fields of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and on international issues and economic matters. Another outcome is that the Germany-supported Compact with Africa could soon be expanded to embrace another partner country.