Hollande reform defiance outrages Merkel supportersMay 30, 2013 - 17:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Francois Hollande's insistence that the EU executive can't "dictate" reforms to France has outraged Angela Merkel's conservatives, hours before the German leader was due in Paris for talks. Unveiling reform recommendations for the 27-nation European Union on Wednesday, May 29 the European Commission urged Hollande to rein in public spending, revamp pensions and cut labor costs in return for a two-year reprieve on budget deficit cuts. French officials broadly welcomed the recommendations as being in line with reform plans already sent to Brussels. But Hollande, who was on a trip through rural France with reporters, warned the Commission not to overstep itself. With concern growing in EU economic powerhouse Germany that the euro zone's second largest economy is slipping deeper into decline, Merkel allies immediately warned that France's attitude could undermine efforts to bolster the euro zone economy. Paris says it expects to bring its deficit back under the upper limit well in time for the new 2015 deadline and is already preparing to reform France's generous pension system. Hollande, who is particularly wary of upsetting negotiations on the issue, said earlier this month the French should expect to have to work "a bit longer". He is looking more towards a possible increase in the period of pension contributions that French workers must make rather than any increase in the statutory retirement age. Yet the Commission specifically listed an increase in the retirement age as a measure that France should examine, and warned it not to do anything which would increase the cost to its companies - remarks which had French officials bristling privately after they emerged. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |