Merkel urges EU countries for more structural reformsJune 8, 2013 - 16:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Chancellor Angela Merkel urged European Union countries on Saturday, June 8 to carry out further structural reforms, saying Germany could only remain in good shape if the European economy recovers, Reuters reported. "That's why it's very much in Germany's interest to do everything it can to ensure other states implement structural reforms, that budgets are made solid and that economic activity is stimulated in this way," she said in a video podcast. Merkel, who will seek a third four-year term in an election due in September, praised progress made by the region so far, saying EU states had already implemented a lot of structural reforms and that the continent had generally improved. Europe's economic health is crucial to Germany, the continent's largest economy. It sends some 40 percent of its exports to the 17-nation euro zone and 60 percent to the wider 27-member European Union. Merkel also urged the EU to "campaign intensively" for a free trade agreement between the United States and Europe in a bid to speed up bilateral commerce. France has said it wants the European Commission's mandate for the negotiations to exclude the audio-visual industry. -s-t Merkel urges EU countries for more structural reforms 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 | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |