EU leaders give Eurogroup two weeks for virus response
[BRUSSELS] EU leaders on Thursday gave the finance ministers of the 19-member eurozone single currency bloc two weeks to come up with a strong economic response to the coronavirus crisis.
The call was agreed after what officials said was a difficult video summit at which hard-hit Italy and Spain pushed their reluctant northern partners to do more.
"At this stage, we invite the Eurogroup to present proposals to us within two weeks," the leaders said, in a statement released after the talks, held at a distance to protect participants from infection.
"These proposals should take into account the unprecedented nature of the Covid-19 shock affecting all our countries and our response will be stepped up, as necessary, with further action in an inclusive way, in light of developments, in order to deliver a comprehensive response."
AFP
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
‘We have our jury’: panel selected for Trump criminal trial
UK wage growth and services inflation too high for rate cut, BOE’s Greene says
US to reduce licensing by 80% for UK, Australia to boost Aukus
IMF tells Asian central banks not to follow Fed too closely
UN chief warns Mideast on brink of 'full-scale regional conflict'
IMF boss says ‘all eyes’ on US amid risks to global economy