Merkel Warns Putin That East Ukraine Vote Must Conform to Law

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande warned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday that any elections held in eastern Ukraine must conform to that country’s laws.

China’s Li Says Economic Growth Quality Important as Pace

The “quality” of economic expansion, including job creation and fighting pollution, is as important as its speed amid uncertainty over whether China will reach its growth target this year, Premier Li Keqiang said.

France to miss EU budget deficit target

France has admitted it will overshoot the EU's 3% budget deficit target this year, putting the eurozone's second-biggest economy on a collision course with Brussels.

German economic growth to be hit by Ukraine crisis, Ifo head says

(Reuters) - German economic growth will shrink towards zero in the second quarter due to the Ukraine crisis and the tough new economic sanctions imposed on Russia from 0.8 percent in the first quarter, the head of Germany's Ifo institute said on Saturday.

Angela Merkel approves Germany's first minimum wage

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has approved the country's first minimum wage, at 8.50 euros an hour (£7; $11.75), to start in 2015.

Poland Says German Reliance on Russian Gas Threatens Europe

WARSAW -- Germany's reliance on Russian natural gas poses a threat to European sovereignty, Polish Prime Minister Doland Tusk warned Monday amid rising East-West tensions over Ukraine.

Senior German official brands country's trade surplus 'unfair'

(Reuters) - A leading German foreign ministry official has called the country's massive trade surplus "unfair", joining others in Europe and the United States in criticizing Germany for not boosting its domestic demand and dismantling global imbalances.

Kerry: spying row shouldn't cloud U.S.-EU trade talks

(Reuters) - European concerns about alleged electronic eavesdropping by U.S. intelligence should not be allowed to cloud trade talks next week between the United States and the European Union, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.

Analysis: Euro zone current account surplus puts Germany in dock

(Reuters) - A sharp rise in the euro zone's current account surplus puts the focus firmly on what Germany's new government can do to boost consumption and revive investment in Europe's largest economy.

Concern in Greece over Angela Merkel's win

There has been a worried response in Greece to the win for German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sunday's election.

German business confidence rises for fourth month: Ifo

German business confidence rose for a fourth month in a row in August, data showed on Tuesday, exceeding expectations as companies in Europe's top economy voiced more satisfaction with their situation.

Merkel ally fuels Greek aid row before election

(Reuters) - Germany's commissioner to the European Commission said on Saturday he expects a new bailout for Greece to amount to a little more than 10 billion euros, fuelling a debate that could hurt Chancellor Angela Merkel in next month's election.

Eurozone needs 'faster' integration: French President Francois Hollande

BRUSSELS: French President Francois Hollande on Friday called for eurozone countries to go "further and faster" in an integration process that should also include a "social dimension".

Angela Merkel feel-good election manifesto draws fire

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Monday set to promote her party manifesto for elections three months away, amid criticism from her coalition partners that the costly list of feel-good pledges contradict her commitment to budget discipline.

EU budget deal far from certain, says Angela Merkel

Talks over the European Union’s next seven-year budget will be “very difficult”, Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor has said, as she warned that an agreement was far from certain.

Merkel sets limits on euro zone risk-sharing

BRUSSELS: European leaders agreed on Friday t o press on with further steps to tackle t hei r debt crisis bu t German Chancellor Angela Merkel threw out a proposal to boo st risk-sharing with a fund to help eur o zone states in trouble.

Greek bailout deal is a classic fudge – but should work for now

There was something for everyone in the latest Greek debt deal. Athens gets enough money to stop the country going bust, Angela Merkel has done enough to keep Greece in the euro until after next year's German elections.

Merkel insists on austerity despite protests

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel took her fiscal discipline message to bailed-out Portugal on Monday, tolerating Nazi jibes from a small group of protesters as she advocated the benefits of austerity and economic reforms.

Greek Stocks Tumble Amid Concerns on Government Stability

Greek stocks are headed for the biggest weekly retreat in four years as coalition government lawmakers squabble over austerity measures needed to guarantee the flow of bailout funds and keep the nation in the euro.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel to harden her stance on additional help for Greece and Spain

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hardening her stance on additional help for struggling euro zone economies like Greece and Spain as pressure from parliamentary allies and a looming election campaign shrink her room for manoeuvre in Europe.