Poland softened its public tone on the eve of a crucial European Union summit due to launch negotiations on a reform of the bloc's institutions but Britain angered its partners by trying to gut foreign policy provisions.

Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski played down fears that Warsaw could block agreement on a new treaty to replace the defunct EU constitution, saying the fact that his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski, would attend was a conciliatory sign.

"I would only have gone (to Brussels) if it had been about a veto. In order to say: we do not agree," Kaczynski told German daily Bild in an apparent goodwill gesture to Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will chair the summit today and tomorrow.

Warsaw and Berlin have been at loggerheads over Polish demands to change the reformed voting system at the heart of the proposed treaty, which it says gives too much power to big states, especially Germany, at Poland's expense.

Kaczynski appeared to play down Poland's aim of completely changing the planned double majority decision-making procedure, saying: "At the moment, all we want is for a debate about the voting system to be allowed."

Britain digs in

Diplomats said Britain had meanwhile hardened its stance in seeking to reduce the role, powers and staff of the proposed EU foreign minister.

One diplomat said London had made far-reaching last-minute demands to water down the common European foreign and security policy.

Britain argues that the rejection of the constitution by Dutch and French voters in 2005 means the EU should pursue only minimal changes needed to operate more smoothly.

The diplomat said London demanded that a proposed EU foreign minister, whose job title would be downgraded, should not chair the monthly meetings of member states' foreign ministers.

Britain also insisted a planned EU foreign service should be entirely inter-governmental and not include the 3,500-strong existing external services of the European Commission, the EU's executive body, he said.

Nor would the EU foreign minister be allowed to speak on behalf of the bloc at the United Nations, except with the permission of UN Security Council members, such as Britain.

(China Daily via agencies June 21, 2007)