DHAKA: German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants the European Union’s 28 member states to reach a ‘no spy deal’ similar to an agreement France and Germany seek with the United State following allegations Washington tapped her mobile phone.

A German government spokesman late on Friday confirmed Merkel had made such a proposal to European leaders gathered at a summit in Brussels.

Sources who attended the meeting said they appeared to be open to the suggestion, reports The Straits Times.

Charges that the United States National Security Agency (NSA) accessed tens of thousands of French phone records as well as monitored Merkel’s phone have caused outrage in Europe.

Germany said on Friday it will send its top intelligence chiefs to Washington next week to seek answers from the White House.

BDST: 1554 HRS, OCT 26, 2013
RoR/JCK