Thursday, December 8, 2011

EU Barroso calls for unity ahead of crucial summit

The president of the European Commission appealed to EU leaders today to set aside their differences and unite to rescue the euro from a sovereign debt crisis that is menacing the world economy.

Jose Manuel Barroso was speaking hours before a potentially divisive crisis summit – m the eighth this year – as Europe's central bankers met in Frankfurt to consider emergency help for banks and the economy.

"The summit that we are going to tonight in Brussels is indeed a crucial one," Barroso said on arrival at a meeting of European conservative party leaders in the French port city of Marseille, issuing a challenge reminiscent of former US President John F. Kennedy.

"What I expect from all heads of governments is that they don't come saying what they cannot do but what they will do for Europe. The entire world is watching us and what the world expects from us is not more national problems but European solutions."