Spaanse premier roept op tot sterke begrotingsdiscipline en meer economische coördinatie in de eurozone (en)

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of the Spanish Government.EFE

In an article published in the German newspaper Handelsblatt, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of the Spanish Government, called for enhanced fiscal discipline in the eurozone and greater co-ordination in economic policies, in order to move toward a new growth model.

“Stability in the eurozone is essential for all member countries, not only Greece. Consequently, it is vital that we bolster fiscal discipline between member states and guarantee strict compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact." Yet that alone is not enough," added Zapatero, whose country is currently presiding the European Union. “Precisely in order to facilitate greater fiscal discipline, we need greater co-ordination between our economic policies and in tackling the structural reforms that will help us move toward a new economic growth model.”

According to the President of the Spanish Government, Spain is able to contribute to eurozone stability, which is a fundamental requirement for all countries in the Eurogroup. In that regard, he indicated that "even though our debt level is already relatively low, at 20 points below the eurozone average, the Spanish Government is fully committed to fiscal consideration in order to achieve a balance in our primary budget in 2013.”

The article, which primarily looks at the Spanish economy, was published at the same time as the announcement of the Eurogroup summit in early May.

At this summit, leaders will decide on the assistance to Greece, in order to help it overcome its debt burden.