Telecoms law talks remained deadlocked between European Union ministers and the European Parliament last night over what supervisory power to give to the European Commission.

The ministers gave a mandate to current EU president Belgium to negotiate a compromise text with the European Parliament before the assembly votes on December 12th. This leaves the EU with less than a week to define whether the Commission should have veto power over national telecoms decisions and in which areas.

"It is not impossible to find a solution, but it is going to be difficult," Belgian telecoms minister Mr Rik Daems said. Its approval has been delayed by a row between member-states and parliament on whether the Commission should be given a supervisory role.