G8 summit: David Cameron’s plan for saving euro: make Germans pay

• Fears grew about the Spanish economy as a leading bank was forced to deny a
run on deposits, its stock market plummeted and the government faced higher
borrowing costs at a bond auction.

• The credit ratings of Greek banks were cut again as rumours circulated that
some branches were limiting cash withdrawals.

• José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, insisted
Europe was prepared to “do all it takes” to ensure Greece stays in the euro.

• Alexis Tsipras, the Left-wing Greek radical hoping to win next month’s
elections, said severe spending cuts were a path “directly to hell” and that
Italy and Spain would be forced out of the euro if Greek had to leave.

Mr Cameron took part in a conference call with François Hollande, the new
French president, Mrs Merkel, and Mario Monti, the Italian prime minister,
in which they “explored new options” to solve the crisis.

The Prime Minister will today hold his first face-to-face talks in America
with Mr Hollande, whose anti-austerity agenda has unsettled financial
markets.

In a speech Mr Cameron said: “We all need to address Europe’s overall low
productivity and lack of economic dynamism, which remains its Achilles’
heel. Most EU member states are becoming less competitive compared to the
rest of the world, not more.”

In the past, Mr Cameron has caused irritation by appearing to lecture European
countries on how they should solve their debt problems.

However, the Prime Minister gave a blunt warning to Germany that its taxpayers
may need to take on more risk by allowing the issue of Eurobonds. Mrs Merkel
is opposed to the bonds and the move is deeply unpopular in Germany.

In Washington Mr Cameron will hold talks with Mr Obama and other world leaders
about tapping into emergency oil reserves in an effort to drive down petrol
prices.

Mr Cameron will also push for a new US-EU trade deal to lower import taxes.

Views: 0

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes