EU governments, parliament edge closer to deal on recovery plan

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen delivers a speech during a plenary session on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium July 23, 2020. Francois Walschaerts/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union edged closer on Wednesday to a deal over the bloc's budget and recovery package of 1.8 trillion euros after national governments offered concessions, but key differences remained.

EU leaders agreed at a marathon summit in July on the seven-year budget and the recovery plan to help lift Europe's economy from its deepest ever recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.