EU SUMMIT Nine countries have 'grave objections' to draft treaty - source UPDATE

(Updates with further detail on objections)

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Greece, Austria, Malta, Hungary, Slovenia and Lithuania have 'grave objections' to a published draft treaty for the 27 member state bloc, a source said.

The source added that the group of nine all have similar concerns and that one of the key objections was on the stated 'legal personality' of the EU, which was not 'strong enough'. A single legal personality would make it easier for the EU to sign international treaties.

There is also an objection lodged against Britain's opt out clause on the EU charter of fundamental rights, according to documents seen here.

In total, 16 separate objections have been made by the group of nine, although no detail is provided on the identity of the state or states making each objection.

EU leaders are working towards a draft treaty to reform the bloc's outmoded institutions following the demise of the defunct EU constitution.

The German presidency wants to unveil the broad outlines of a treaty agreement and submit it to a intergovernmental conference next month to finalise the details.

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