Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Greek debt looms over EU summit
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Sitemap
Greek debt looms over EU summit
AFP - Friday, March 26
Send
IM Story
Print
VIDEO European leaders must agree on financial help for debt-laden Greece at their summit next week, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said Thursday. Duration: 00:55
BRUSSELS (AFP) - – European Union leaders gather on Thursday with the euro under growing pressure as markets wait to see if they will finally come up with concrete measures to help debt-stricken Greece.
Germany is holding out for Greece to seek aid from the International Monetary Fund but others, including the European Central Bank, think any support must come from Europe so as to preserve the credibility of the euro and the eurozone.
The two-day EU summit starts at around 1600 GMT against a backdrop of bickering and contradictory statements that highlight the crunch eurozone problem -- what to do when EU member states break the basic rules on public finances.
Diplomats have been working furiously for days to address conditions imposed by Berlin for it to sign up to any deal, and a last-minute meeting of eurozone leaders could precede the formal summit talks.
"Discussions are progressing but we're not there yet," said one European diplomatic source late on Wednesday.
Greece's debt crisis has dragged down the euro over recent weeks, with the single unit hitting fresh 10-month lows of 1.3283 dollars in Asian trade on Thursday. Related article: IMF aid for Greece 'to hurt the euro'
A ratings downgrade for Portugal on Wednesday over its weak public finances upped the stakes, drawing in another of the weaker eurozone members struggling to cope with the aftermath of the worst global slump since the 1930s.
The IMF has not been involved in planning a financial rescue for a eurozone member state although it has helped EU countries such as Hungary, in joint efforts with Brussels and other institutions.
Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti wants the IMF to be used as an "intermediate" solution, "as a bank and for its know-how but under political management" by Brussels.
But opponents, among them ECB head Jean-Claude Trichet, have argued that IMF intervention would cause serious damage to the eurozone's credibility and further weaken the euro.
A French government source summed up the range of conflicting opinion.
"There are some countries that want no IMF at all; some that would accept technical IMF assistance; some that are ready for a certain amount of IMF financing and others that want the Fund to be the only financial provider."
Burdened by total debt of nearly 300 billion euros (407 billion dollars), Athens has also had to slash a huge public deficit equal to 12.7 percent of economic output, or more than four times the EU limit, triggering strikes and violent protests on its streets.
Greece wants clear cut EU backing so as to help restore investor confidence, which in turn should mean that it could pay lower rates when it raises money on the financial markets -- as it has to do shortly to repay maturing debt.
It currently pays above six percent, more than double what powerhouse Germany has to. In exasperation at what it sees as this untenable position, Athens has repeatedly said it could go to the IMF if the EU does not step up to the plate.
Germany wants to see automatic sanctions triggered whenever eurozone member spending becomes too wayward but the scope of such penalties is under dispute.
They could include the loss of voting rights at European meetings and fines, according to German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has even said that she wants the eurozone to be able to expel members who repeatedly breach EU rules on limiting budget deficits to three percent of Gross Domestic Product and total debt to 60 percent.
French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has taken aim at Germany over competitive disparities within Europe, with Greece accusing German banks of profiting at its expense while German industry benefits from a weaker euro.
EU leaders are scheduled to meet officially on efforts to agree a bloc-wide economic strategy for the coming decade called 'Europe 2020.'
They will also, despite "extreme difficulty," in the words of permanent president Herman Van Rompuy, attempt to agree a deal on Friday to show how Europe intends to re-engage China, India and others in international negotiations over global warming.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
Pentagon seeks to protect gays in the military
Fed ready to reverse stimulus at 'appropriate time'
Dubai World gets $9.5 bln injection for debt plan
Global pace of deforestation slows: FAO
'I Spy' star Robert Culp dead at 79
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US
Sharks, elephants to reappear on CITES agenda
Dubai World gets $9.5 bln injection for debt plan
Africa's gorillas face bleak future: report
Climate catastrophe ushered in the dinosaurs:study
More Most Viewed »
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US
'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Prince Philip in strip club gaffe
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 25 March 2010 Riyadh says arrests militants planning oil attacks
Sarkozy vows reforms despite vote defeat
Clearwire calls for one global mobile technology
Private onboard guards kill Somali pirate for first time
Nigeria rights group to appeal Facebook ruling
Five soldiers killed in latest attacks in Iraq
China official rejects U.S. complaints on currency
|
Sharks, elephants to reappear on CITES agenda
China joins big-power talks on Iran sanctions
Books get the 3-D treatment in South Korea
Portugal vows austerity after debt downgrade
Britain hits rich in pre-election budget
Jerusalem building plan not new
Japanese publishers organise to discuss e-books
Africa's gorillas face bleak future: report
General Mills Q3 Profit Jumps On Sales, Margin Growth
Dell says China sales to near $5 billion this year
Russia, China press Iran on nuclear programme
Kids Choice Awards Launches Free iPhone App For Event
Inside a global cybercrime ring
Justin Bieber's Manager Arrested For Refusing To Tweet
Drivers In I-95 Afternoon Road Rage Charged
Nigeria's acting leader to meet ex-rebel leaders
|
Bank Of America Launches Principal Foregiveness Program To Help Borrowers
Head of Canadian army shuffled out of job
|
New Home Sales Hit Record Low In February
Japanese publishers organise to discuss e-books
Katherine Heigl Confirms Shes Leaving Greys Anatomy
Infantino Recalling SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo Infant Slings
Former Gov. Corzine Back On Wall Street; Appointed Princeton Professor
Jesse James' Ex-Wife Janine Lindemulder Says Former Husband Is A "Chronic Cheater"
Cuban Americans filling planes to homeland
Russia, U.S. reach deal on new arms pact
Taliban-linked group to meet with UN
Curbing Taliban opium trade risks loss of support
Russia, US set to sign new nuclear treaty: Kremlin source
Popular baby-carrier recalled in North America
Nepal's ex-king believes monarchy can return
Hong Kong tycoon's Internet group cuts ties with Google
Climate change puts Australian reef on 'knife edge'
Philippine media group awarded AFP press freedom prize
US detainee had joined protests against N.Korea: activist
Cambodia army says 88 Thais dead in two-year border clashes
Alleged arms supplier of Philippine massacre clan arrested
Afghan leader visits China, signs economic pacts
Frenchman hacks Obama's Twitter account
|
GoDaddy plans to stop China domain registrations
|
Twitterers go offline in the name of charity
|
Sweden's Electrolux bids for S.Korean Daewoo Electronics
Malaysia may post 5.5% growth in 2010: central bank
Taiwan chip tycoon warned over storming out of court
China says stronger yuan would have global impact
Swedish, Iranian companies bidding for Daewoo
Verizon Wireless to open app store March 29
|
Madrid opera's new director promises 'innovative' first season
Former Samsung chairman Lee returns to top post
Clearwire calls for one global mobile technology
|
Dell's new servers designed for the cloud
|
Pakistani stocks end at 19-month high; rupee firms
Belgian author wins Astrid Lindgren prize
China to try swingers over group sex parties
Books get the 3-D treatment in South Korea
|
S.Korea c.banker: uncertainties high over economy
Hard times hit US blacks, Latinos harder than whites: study
Nigeria rights group to appeal Facebook ruling
|
Indonesian brewers fret over excise tax hike
Akon postpones Sri Lanka tour after Buddha uproar
Killer icicles terrorise Russians
Sri Lanka plans to bar entry to R&B singer Akon
Population growth should be curbed: UK conservationist
Craig Ferguson: dragon slayer
|
Akon saddened by Sri Lanka uproar
|
Pete Wentz looks to life without Fall Out Boy
|
MGMT give French fans peek at new album
|
Italian swaps physics for writing and wins plaudits
|
Netanyahu says progress made in U.S. Mideast talks
Britain hits rich in pre-election budget
Netanyahu says progress made in U.S. Mideast talks
|
China joins talks on Iran sanctions, still no deal
Cold War defence alliance to wind down
China official rejects U.S. complaints on currency
|
From the age of labor to the labor of age
|
U.S. plays down hopes for Afghan reconciliation
|
China joins talks on Iran sanctions, still no deal
|
Santos leading race for Colombian presidency
AT&T sees big cash in small gizmos like dog collars
High-profile resignation in Irish church abuse scandal
|
Car bomb kills 9 in Colombian port town
|
Senators form caucus on global Internet freedom
Head of Canadian army shuffled out of job
|
Man Arrested For Trying to Break Back Into Prison
Quake near Philippine capital, no damage reported
|
Quake strikes near Philippine capital Manila
Sodomy trial 'rotten' and 'malicious,' says Anwar
Australians upset over LA kangaroo stunt
AT&T sees big cash in small gizmos like dog collars
|
Pentagon poised to raise bar for kicking out gays
Malaysia verdict overturned in police torture case
CBS in step with Dance competition series
|
Dracula creator's relative seeks Dublin memorial
|
Some 25 mln air passenger bags lost in 2009: industry
Sodomy trial of Malaysia's Anwar to resume in May
China eyes 500 million web users
Three weeks to save iconic Hollywood sign: trust
Robert Culp, 79, dies after fall
Tesco's S.Korean unit to open eight new stores
Noel Gallagher describes onstage attack
Veggie Oil Van Sets Record
Toyota domestic plant review aims to slash costs
'Mr Shuffles' elephant calf trumpets new name
NZ dollar recovers from dip, looks to EU summit
Playgirl Offers Jesse James $500,000 To Pose Nude
Former President Bush Wipes Hands Clean On Former President Clinton After Shaking Hands With Haitians
Google Inc's deals in doubt amid spat with Beijing
Ex-Khmer Rouge leader hospitalized for a cold
Paychex Q3 Earnings Dip On Revenue Decline
PAKISTAN
U.S. Markets Slide On Global Economic Concerns
More Than 10 Congressmen Receive Threats Following Health Care Reform Vote
S.Korea firms turn cautious about outlook -survey
'very important' for China to move on currency: US
U.S. Senate Confirms New Ambassador To The Philippines
S.Korea's Lee calls for close look at household debt
Congress Considers Limiting Information Used In Credit Scores
Westerners follow Thai brides to live in hard-up northeast
Australian author Patricia Wrightson dies at 88
Frenchman arrested, targeted Obama's Twitter account
Europe moves towards Greek aid deal
US-TECH Summary
Abuse victims demand pope open files on pedophiles
|
Russia says top militant killed in North Caucasus
Greek debt looms over EU summit
Playgirl Offers Jesse James $500,000 To Pose Nude
U.N. envoy meets Afghan insurgents in Kabul
|
Justin Bieber's Manager Arrested For Refusing To Tweet
Berlusconi faces key test in regional elections
|
A virtual farm turns new ground for game developers
Jesse James' Ex-Wife Janine Lindemulder Says Former Husband Is A "Chronic Cheater"
Pakistan faces tough task rejuvenating battered Swat
|
LG aims at 25 percent of global 3D TV market
U.N. slams rights abuses in North Korea
|
Russia says may support Iran nuclear sanctions
|
UK Conservatives lag in seats they must win
|
Cablevision goes 3D, beginning with hockey match
Somalia insurgents take over radio stations
|
US Senate panel clears plan for tighter cybersecurity
Verizon Wireless to open app store March 29
Carla Bruni not keen on 2nd term for husband Sarkozy
|
US-TECH Summary
'I Spy' star Robert Culp dead at 79
Obama health bill to face new House vote
U.S. healthcare changes headed back to House
Israeli PM fails to resolve settlement spat with US
Pope faces fresh claims of child sex abuse cover-up
Obama condemns Cuba's 'clenched fist' repression
Philippine court orders arrest of 189 in massacre
11-year-old Wins Stinky Sneakers Top Prize
Landslide lake threatens massive floods N.Pakistan
Doctors Warn About Relying On Web For Medical Information
Body Of Child Found; Believed To Be Missing New York Boy
Donny Osmond Upset About Lady Gagas Telephone
China says it agrees with Afghanistan on politics
FDA Warns Of Muscle Damage Associated With Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
Citigroup Commits To Second-Lien Program To Keep Families In Homes
UN head in Afghanistan meets with militant group
California To Vote On Legalizing Marijuana
Chinese investors eye New Zealand's dairy sector
A virtual farm turns new ground for game developers
|
PetroChina's 2009 net profit falls 9.7 percent
Cablevision goes 3D, beginning with hockey match
|
Green Day And AFI To Embark On Tour Together
Supreme Court Stays Texas Death Row Inmate's Execution
Robert Culp, 79, dies after fall
|
Chinese Boy With 15 Fingers, 16 Toes Undergoes Surgery To Remove Extra Digits
Indonesian man convicted of people smuggling
Widespread Use Of Liquid Glass Germ And Dirt Repellant Predicted
James Cameron takes film studios to task over 3-D
|
Filmmaker, Former Political Official Upset Over Porn Mix-up
Cambodia PM to attend regional meeting in Thailand
Bollywood film breaks new ground on sex in India
|
China suffering 'diabetes epidemic'
Noel Gallagher describes onstage attack
|
Japan unveils willing dental patient -- a robot
N.Korea forces South into tourism talks
German Police Kill Marauding Wild Boar
Taiwan Braces For Severe Sandstorm, May Close Schools
Good-hearted Thief Returns Some Stolen Money
Twitterers go offline in the name of charity
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights