Merkel puts NSA spying on EU leaders' agenda

German Chancellor says spying is a matter of concern for every citizen

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that allegations that the U.S. National Security Agency hacked her phone is relevant for every citizen who needs to trust digital communications.

Arriving at the meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels, she told reporters: "The spying isn't all about me. Trust with the U.S. can only be built on mutual respect." She added that spying on "friends" is misguided.

E.U. leaders are due to discuss Europe's digital economy, including plans to make cross-border e-commerce easier and taxing Web-based content and services providers. Leaked documents showing the draft conclusions of the summit do not include any mention of NSA, spying or mass surveillance. But Merkel's comments and recent allegations that the NSA may also have spied on France are likely to mean it will make it onto the agenda.

French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron remained tight-lipped as they arrived for the summit.

Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @BrusselsGeek or email tips and comments to jennifer_baker@idg.com.

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