The European Union has overcome a deadlock that would have forced an end to a food aid program benefiting 18-million of Europe's poorest citizens on January 1.

At a meeting in Brussels Monday, Germany ended its opposition to the program after earlier saying that the bloc's money should not be used to fund it. The program will now continue through 2013.

In the past, the aid was distributed in the form of surplus food stemming from agricultural budgets. But food stocks have fallen in recent years, forcing the EU to buy supplies to feed the hungry.

Before changing its position Monday, Germany had been joined by Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden in opposition to the program.

Under the new deal, the EU will spend around $680 million dollars a year to continue the aid program for the next two years. Once Germany ended its opposition to the program the other five countries also agreed to the plan.