A debate about education targets in the proposed 'Europe 2020' strategy was removed from the agenda of an EU summit meeting after Germany expressed concerns that the proposed EU objective would step on its federal competences. EurActiv Germany reports (from EAEA site).

Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council - which gathers EU heads of state and government - was forced to remove a discussion of the headline target 'education' from the agenda of the summit, scheduled for 25-26 March.

The move has angered European Commission President José Manuel Barroso who is insisting that skills are a key part of restoring competitiveness.

Wolfgang Reinhart, Europe minister for the German state of Baden-Württemberg, told EurActiv Germany that the decision to raise the issue was taken after a meeting in Brussels with Europe ministers from other German Länder.

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