There had long been speculation in Brussels as to whether the Spanish Presidency would convene a special meeting of EU finance ministers to get the stalled negotiations on the new European debt rules off the ice. Now the time has come today. Spain’s minister Nadia Calviño has invited her colleagues in Brussels to a dinner – with an open end. If things don’t work out in the night session, negotiations can continue on Friday at the regular Ecofin meeting. According to diplomats, the chances of reaching an agreement are good. However, the agreement is not guaranteed.