France hails German approval of EU bailout fund

France hails German approval of EU bailout fund

France hailed Thursday the vote in German parliament that approved the European Union (EU) bailout fund for debt-ridden peers, urging other EU members to accelerate their process, said a statement by the Elysee Palace.

"This is an important step has been accomplished in the service of stability in the eurozone," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in the statement and bid his congratulations to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the approval.

Earlier in the day, a large majority in the lower house of German parliament approved expanded powers for the EU's main bailout fund, which is expected to pass the vote at Germany's upper house of parliament on Friday.

Sarkozy and Merkel underlined that the decision taken on July 21 at the EU summit was very important for the eurozone to overcome current difficulties.

"They urge all partners who have not yet made the parliamentary ratification to complete this process as soon as possible," the statement added.

According to the statement, Sarkozy would receive Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Paris on Friday afternoon on the latest situation in Greece.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

English.news.cn   2011-09-30 01:52:45 FeedbackPrintRSS
PARIS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua)