This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-15782854
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Eurozone crisis: Cameron and Merkel stress friendship | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have acknowledged differences but stressed they have the "same plan" for European growth. | |
The two leaders met in Berlin to discuss the eurozone crisis and other issues, including sanctions on Iran. | |
Mrs Merkel said they did "not make progress" on plans for a European financial transactions tax. | |
But Mr Cameron, who argues any such tax must be global, said they were "good friends" who wanted Europe to succeed. | |
'Good relationship' | |
The meeting came amid continuing tensions between the two countries over issues like the transactions tax. | |
But both leaders stressed their "good relationship" and went through areas of agreement - including the need for European countries to tackle their debts and deficits, the importance of the single market, and the need for action to resolve the eurozone debt crisis. | |
Mrs Merkel acknowledged that no progress was made on Germany and France's calls for a European financial transaction tax. | |
Mr Cameron stressed a global tax was a good idea, but is concerned one that does not involve other major global financial centres would penalise the City of London. | |
"It is obvious that we don't agree on every aspect of European policy, but I am clear that we can address and accommodate and deal with those differences," he said. | |
"It's a good relationship. We have strong agreement on key issues about action the European economy needs to take." | |
'Two speed Europe' | |
Mr Cameron met European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on Friday before flying to Berlin. | |
In a statement, they said Mr Barroso and the PM had "agreed on the importance of prioritising the decisive action needed to ensure the stability of the euro area, as well as fast-tracking measures to stimulate growth and jobs". | In a statement, they said Mr Barroso and the PM had "agreed on the importance of prioritising the decisive action needed to ensure the stability of the euro area, as well as fast-tracking measures to stimulate growth and jobs". |
It also stressed the "central importance of further developing the single market to deliver its full growth potential" - a key issue for the UK, should eurozone countries choose to integrate further. | It also stressed the "central importance of further developing the single market to deliver its full growth potential" - a key issue for the UK, should eurozone countries choose to integrate further. |
BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said some of Chancellor Merkel's MPs had criticised Britain for not supporting Europe in its hour of need. | BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said some of Chancellor Merkel's MPs had criticised Britain for not supporting Europe in its hour of need. |
Mrs Merkel wants the eurozone to be much more closely integrated, while Mr Cameron is not prepared to see British influence decline in a "two-speed Europe", our correspondent added. | |
Mr Cameron also wants the European Central Bank to be allowed to bail out struggling countries - something Mrs Merkel is resisting. | Mr Cameron also wants the European Central Bank to be allowed to bail out struggling countries - something Mrs Merkel is resisting. |
Overshadowing the meeting is the fear the debt crisis is spreading; in recent days core countries such as France have joined Spain and Italy in seeing their borrowing costs rise. | |
Mrs Merkel's CDU wants the EU's Lisbon Treaty to be amended to sanction a move towards closer fiscal union within the eurozone and says negotiations should begin at once. | Mrs Merkel's CDU wants the EU's Lisbon Treaty to be amended to sanction a move towards closer fiscal union within the eurozone and says negotiations should begin at once. |
Senior CDU figures have suggested that if all 27 EU countries cannot agree, the change should be approved by those countries which use the single currency - of which the UK is not a member. | Senior CDU figures have suggested that if all 27 EU countries cannot agree, the change should be approved by those countries which use the single currency - of which the UK is not a member. |
'Economic suicide' | 'Economic suicide' |
At the press conference, Mrs Merkel called for "limited treaty change" in the eurozone - Mr Cameron said they had had a "discussion" on the issue adding: "Germany has her interests and so does Britain." | |
The UK supports greater fiscal integration among eurozone countries as part of efforts to tackle the debt crisis. | |
But the government has said it wants safeguards, so those outside the single currency area will not be disadvantaged in terms of access to the single market and regulations on key sectors like finance. | But the government has said it wants safeguards, so those outside the single currency area will not be disadvantaged in terms of access to the single market and regulations on key sectors like finance. |
There are concerns that Germany is determined to push ahead with a tax on financial transactions, known as the Tobin or Robin Hood Tax, in an effort to regulate the markets. | |
A senior member of Mrs Merkel's party, Volker Kauder, has suggested the UK might need to make concessions on the issue of the tax and must show more collective responsibility in Europe. | A senior member of Mrs Merkel's party, Volker Kauder, has suggested the UK might need to make concessions on the issue of the tax and must show more collective responsibility in Europe. |
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said a Europe-only tax would be "economic suicide" while Business Secretary Vince Cable has said it would amount to a "tax on Britain" - the UK has said such a move must apply equally to all global financial centres. | Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said a Europe-only tax would be "economic suicide" while Business Secretary Vince Cable has said it would amount to a "tax on Britain" - the UK has said such a move must apply equally to all global financial centres. |
Labour's Chris Bryant - a former Europe minister - said the coalition was "not managing to get its argument across". | Labour's Chris Bryant - a former Europe minister - said the coalition was "not managing to get its argument across". |
"I think we should have been doing much more to bind together a caucus of Britain, France, Germany to provide much more leadership on this issue," he told BBC One's Question Time. | "I think we should have been doing much more to bind together a caucus of Britain, France, Germany to provide much more leadership on this issue," he told BBC One's Question Time. |