Coronavirus: EU leaders reach deal on recovery package

EU leaders agreed early Tuesday to an unprecedented €1.8 trillion ($2 trillion) aid and budget deal aimed at helping hard-hit bloc members recover from the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Disagreements concerning access to the aid package had turned the negotiations into one of the bloc's longest-ever summits.

The package includes a €750-billion fund to be sent as loans and grants, as well as a seven-year €1 trillion EU budget.

European Council President Charles Michel tweeted a brief message minutes after leaders adopted the plan: "Deal!"