Germany unemployment rate edges down to 7.3% in MarchMarch 28, 2013 - 15:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany's unemployment rate edged down to 7.3 percent in March as a traditional springtime upturn was limited by unusually cold weather. According to The Associated Press, the Federal Labor Agency said Thursday, March 28, that the unadjusted jobless rate was down from 7.4 percent in February. The number of people registered as unemployed was 3.098 million — 58,000 fewer than the previous month. In seasonally adjusted terms the unemployment rate was steady at 6.9 percent for the sixth consecutive month, in line with economists' forecasts. Despite contracting in the last quarter of 2012, the German economy, Europe's biggest, has remained robust over the past few years, while several other countries in the euro area have struggled. That has bolstered the labor market; Germany's jobless rate contrasts with unemployment of more than 25 percent in Greece and Spain. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |