14/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - At the request of Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, EU heads of state and government briefly discussed, on Friday at the European Council, the possible consequences of the distribution at the end of March of a film by Dutch populist Geert Wilders denouncing the Koran and the “dangers of Islam”. Diffusion of the film could give rise to a violent reaction in the Muslim world, comparable to that following the ruckus caused by the publication of cartoons of Mohammad in Denmark in 2006. “Possible consequences of showing the movie … may not be limited to just the Netherlands but could spread to the international scene”, Mr Balkenende warned. European leaders agreed to “speak with a single European voice” if the situation so warrants, the leader of the Dutch government explained. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also explained to the press that the 27 members of the EU have agreed to “coordinate” their stances. The Slovenian EU Council Presidency will be publishing a statement in due course, said Ms Merkel. (H.B.)