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28/10/2011
Greeks Weren't Ready For Euro – Sarkozy
The French President has controversially spoke out against Greece's membership of the Euro, just as European leaders strike a deal to save the currency and the union.
On French television during Thursday night, Nicolas Sarkozy said it was a "mistake" to allow Greece to enter the eurozone, adding to an already tense situation between EU member states.
"Let's be clear: it was an error. Its economy was not ready to assume its integration into the euro".
The comments come after an emergency meeting on Wendesday secured a deal forcing European banks to take a 50% 'hair cut', chopping Greek debt repayments in half.
However, world stocks have continued to rebound favourably with the euro jumping to a seven-week high against the dollar after the emergency debt deal in Brussels.
European Leaders have secured a last minute deal to the save the Euro during late night talks in Brussels on Wednesday night.
During the emergency meeting, representatives from 21 states brokered the deal that will also see banks forced to raise more capital to protect themselves against losses resulting from any future government defaults.
The third 'prong' in the deal will see an approved mechanism to boost the eurozone's main bailout fund to around €1 trilion.
However, the deal comes at a cost and will see the UK's contribution to the union increase by 5%.
Responding to the vote Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, said: “The proposal to increase the European Union budget at this time by over 5% will strike most people as unjustified and wrongheaded.
“Last time the Prime Minister promised a freeze and then came out claiming that a rise was a victory. This time David Cameron must do better – he must not support another inflation busting rise in the European Union budget.
“The European Commission should be focussed on finding savings and better targeting its funds on the most crucial areas - not proposing unjustified budget increases.”
Although the agreement did not go as far as some hoped, the markets have responded well with the FTSE trading 115 points higher on Thursday morning at 5667.
The last ditch agreement rounds off a week of extreme tension that saw verbal battles between the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while in the Italian Parliament, a fist fight broke out on Wednesday afternoon between rival parties.
(DW)
On French television during Thursday night, Nicolas Sarkozy said it was a "mistake" to allow Greece to enter the eurozone, adding to an already tense situation between EU member states.
"Let's be clear: it was an error. Its economy was not ready to assume its integration into the euro".
The comments come after an emergency meeting on Wendesday secured a deal forcing European banks to take a 50% 'hair cut', chopping Greek debt repayments in half.
However, world stocks have continued to rebound favourably with the euro jumping to a seven-week high against the dollar after the emergency debt deal in Brussels.
European Leaders have secured a last minute deal to the save the Euro during late night talks in Brussels on Wednesday night.
During the emergency meeting, representatives from 21 states brokered the deal that will also see banks forced to raise more capital to protect themselves against losses resulting from any future government defaults.
The third 'prong' in the deal will see an approved mechanism to boost the eurozone's main bailout fund to around €1 trilion.
However, the deal comes at a cost and will see the UK's contribution to the union increase by 5%.
Responding to the vote Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, said: “The proposal to increase the European Union budget at this time by over 5% will strike most people as unjustified and wrongheaded.
“Last time the Prime Minister promised a freeze and then came out claiming that a rise was a victory. This time David Cameron must do better – he must not support another inflation busting rise in the European Union budget.
“The European Commission should be focussed on finding savings and better targeting its funds on the most crucial areas - not proposing unjustified budget increases.”
Although the agreement did not go as far as some hoped, the markets have responded well with the FTSE trading 115 points higher on Thursday morning at 5667.
The last ditch agreement rounds off a week of extreme tension that saw verbal battles between the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while in the Italian Parliament, a fist fight broke out on Wednesday afternoon between rival parties.
(DW)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
