Berlin and Brussels downplay mutual EU friction

Germany and the European Commission have downplayed a series of recent clashes over EU policies such as energy and justice matters, displaying unity at the launch of Berlin's six-month presidency of the bloc.

The college of commissioners on Tuesday (9 January) met the German government in Berlin, kicking off Germany's stint at the helm of the EU which will see both Brussels and Berlin eager to avoid the frequent confrontations which characterised 2006.

Commission officials throu...