Merkel calls for joint EU approach to crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday called for a common European approach towards the global financial crisis ahead an EU summit in Brussels next week.
“We can only solve global problems together,” she said in a speech to parliament outlining the government’s strategy for the summit.
Because “we consider the financial crisis to be grave,” Europe must be united in its efforts to turn the economy around, Merkel said. The chancellor said that the EU must also work together to implement its ambitious goals to combat climate change.
Using the controversial language of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Merkel said the leaders of the 27 EU nations should consider themselves “Europe’s economic government” while considering how best to deal with the financial crisis.
Following widespread criticism that Berlin was not doing enough to bolster the economy, Merkel defended her government’s €32-billion stimulus package. Germany is “among the leading countries in Europe in responding to the economic crisis,” she said.
Merkel reiterated that her government would discuss the economic situation in January to determine whether other measures were necessary. However, she said there would be no “race for billions” in spending or tax cuts.
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“We can only solve global problems together,” she said in a speech to parliament outlining the government’s strategy for the summit.
Because “we consider the financial crisis to be grave,” Europe must be united in its efforts to turn the economy around, Merkel said. The chancellor said that the EU must also work together to implement its ambitious goals to combat climate change.
Using the controversial language of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Merkel said the leaders of the 27 EU nations should consider themselves “Europe’s economic government” while considering how best to deal with the financial crisis.
Following widespread criticism that Berlin was not doing enough to bolster the economy, Merkel defended her government’s €32-billion stimulus package. Germany is “among the leading countries in Europe in responding to the economic crisis,” she said.
Merkel reiterated that her government would discuss the economic situation in January to determine whether other measures were necessary. However, she said there would be no “race for billions” in spending or tax cuts.
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