French Finance Minister: EU summit deal marks birth of a new Europe

7/21/2020 - 3:27:52 PM

The European Union's deal on a massive, economic stimulus plan marks the birth of a new Europe, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told France Info radio on Tuesday (July 21).

European Union leaders during a round table meeting at an EU summit over a post-virus economic rescue plan in Brussels, on July 20, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Le Maire said the deal would result in a Europe with greater solidarity among member nations, more environmentally-friendly policies and a stronger Franco-German relationship at its core.

European Union leaders reached an "historic" deal on a massive stimulus plan for their coronavirus-hit economies at a pre-dawn meeting on Tuesday after a fractious summit that lasted almost five days.

An unprecedented EUR1.82 trillion (about US$2.1 trillion) deal was finally announced to confront the worst recession in the EU's history.

President of the European Council Charles Michel said the agreement "shows our belief in our common future," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the deal as a signal that "Europe is able to act.

Source: NDO

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