Critics are vocal
At a recent conference in Brussels, there was plenty of criticism for European leaders for not doing enough, quickly enough, to end the crisis. Critics like Bernadette Segol of the European Trade Union Confederation called for more growth stimulus and more concern for Europeans hit hard by the crisis.
"We have to change course. The measures that have been taken until now are not working and they are very unfair. Inequalities are rising in Europe and that has to change," said Segol.
Sitting next to her at the speakers' table, European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso agreed that economic growth is needed, but he argued against allowing troubled countries to take on more debt to stimulate it.
Europe tied into global economy
"There is nothing more anti-social than high levels of debt. Every euro spent on the interest of debt is a euro that is not going for public health, for education, for help for the most needy - and not only for this generation, for the future," said Barroso.
Although the focus at the conference and at the summit was on solving Europe's problems, Mikael Hagstrom of the American Chamber of Commerce in Europe said the effort has implications for the broader world.
"If we can unite Europe and take some of the blockages to the arteries away, then we're also going to be able to be more engaged in a G20 world and be more inclusive to the G20 world," said Hagstrom.
最新
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27