UPDATE 1-Germany sees 50% chance of agreement on EU fiscal rules on Friday – govt sources

There is a real chance of reaching an agreement on the reform of European Union fiscal rules on Friday, German finance ministry sources said. This contrasted with the pessimism of EU officials, who consider a deal on EU fiscal rules to be unlikely this year because the differences between countries on the pace needed to consolidate public finances are too big. EU finance ministers are to discuss changes to the rules on Friday, aiming to agree on a joint position that would then be negotiated with the European Parliament early in 2024.