 Story highlights European lawmakers approve in-depth inquiry into U.S. surveillance programs 
 
 European Union ambassadors meet to discuss allegations of U.S. spying 
 
 The meeting comes ahead of talks on a huge American-EU trade deal next week 
 
 Ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked details of alleged U.S. spying on allies 
 
 Allegations that the United States is spying on its European allies topped the agenda for European Union ambassadors who met Thursday in Brussels, Belgium, as the fallout from claims made by U.S. leaker Edward Snowden widened. BERLIN/WASHINGTON German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a phone call with Barack Obama on Wednesday night that she believed the U.S. president took Germany's concern over reported U.S. spying very seriously, and she hoped coming talks would bring answers. JUST WATCHED Official: NSA spying on EU 'out of control' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Official: NSA spying on EU 'out of control' 02:07 
 
 JUST WATCHED Snowden documents: U.S. spied on EU Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Snowden documents: U.S. spied on EU 01:41 
 
 "The president assured the chancellor that the United States takes seriously the concerns of our European allies and partners," a White House statement on the phone call said. German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler said the reports of spying would influence the planned talks, according to his spokesman, Adrian Toschev. Obama sought to allay the anger in Germany and other European allies in his call with Merkel, during which the chancellor said she made clear to him spying was not what she expected from countries considered friends. "Every intelligence service, not just ours, but every European intelligence service, every Asian intelligence service, wherever there's an intelligence service, here's one thing they're going to be doing: they're going to be trying to understand the world better and what's going on in world capitals around the world from sources that aren't available through the New York Times or NBC News," Obama said.
– President Obama and Angela Merkel have discussed US spying allegations by phone, the White House says, and they're organizing a meeting between US and German security officials on the issue. "The president assured the chancellor that the United States takes seriously the concerns of our European allies and partners," the White House notes, per Reuters. Germany plans to send envoys to Washington; a meeting could come within days. EU and US officials are also set to meet as soon as July 8. Merkel and Obama both continue to support a new transatlantic trade deal, the White House adds; talks on the matter are set to begin next week. Though France has suggested delaying the talks until after spying claims are addressed, the European Commission says the discussions will go forward on schedule. Meanwhile, European Union ambassadors are reviewing the surveillance issue amongst themselves at a meeting today in Brussels, CNN reports. They'll also talk about PRISM and the possibility of creating a US-EU working group.