Schaeuble Underlines Opposition Against Members Leaving EMU

BERLIN (MNI) – German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble
reiterated his opposition to proposals that highly indebted countries
should leave the Eurozone.

Europe can only function “if it is clear that individual members
cannot be bombed out of the euro,” Schauble told German weekly Der Stern
in an interview released Wednesday.

The minister criticized that the European Central Bank had blamed
Germany in the past for its hesitant stance in the sovereign debt
crisis.

“We respect the independence of the European Central Bank.
Completely! And we are engaging ourselves for it. We don’t criticise
[the ECB]. Ideally this should also be the case vice versa,” Schauble
said.

Schaeuble, who is confined to a wheelchair, said his health had
improved since last year when he had to be hospitalized for several
weeks. “You know, last year was partly horrible. But that is over. I’m
feeling good,” he said.

–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com

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