Merkel, Hollande agree on further European integration
Updated: 2013-01-23 04:02
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
BERLIN - Germany and France on Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of a landmark treaty that sealed their post-war reconciliation by an agreement to further the process of European economic and monetary integration.
Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said both countries would take measures to bolster economic growth in the eurozone.
Detailed measures would be unveiled by May as part of the efforts made for the European Union summit in June.
"It is about a deeper cooperation in economic policy with the goal of social security, employment, growth and financial stability," Merkel said.
Paris and Berlin were aware of "our great responsibility" to put an end to the chronic eurozone crisis and to bring the economy back on track of growth, according to Merkel.
The initiatives would be focusing on jobs, growth and competitiveness, she added.
The agreement came as Germany and France celebrated the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1963 Elysee Treaty, which heralded a new era of friendship between the two former foes.
Hollande, for his part, said he was "happy with what France and Germany have been able to accomplish to get the euro zone out of its crisis."
"If you look at the results, it's clear we're on the same wavelength," he said.
Both Merkel and Hollande pledged to go all out to underpin economic coordination in the European Union despite differences in crisis management prescriptions between the two countries, with Merkel advocating for even tighter budgetary discipline, while Hollande emphasizing on more solidarity and risk-sharing.
Merkel and Hollande will also attend a concert gala at the Berlin Philharmonic.
- Li Na on Time cover, makes influential 100 list
- FBI releases photos of 2 Boston bombings suspects
- World's wackiest hairstyles
- Sandstorms strike Northwest China
- Never-seen photos of Madonna on display
- H7N9 outbreak linked to waterfowl migration
- Dozens feared dead in Texas plant blast
- Venezuelan court rules out manual votes counting
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
TCM - Keeping healthy in Chinese way |
Poultry industry under pressure |
Today's Top News
Boston bombing suspect reported cornered on boat
7.0-magnitude quake hits Sichuan
Cross-talk artist helps to spread the word
'Green' awareness levels drop in Beijing
Palace Museum spruces up
First couple on Time's list of most influential
H7N9 flu transmission studied
Trading channels 'need to broaden'
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |