ECB Seeks to Ease Euro-Area Capital Barriers for Lending

Europe’s efforts to boost lending and reduce financial fragmentation won’t succeed unless banks can move money freely between countries, European Central Bank policy makers said this week.

European Stocks Climb on Chinese Economic Growth Report

European stocks advanced, rebounding from yesterday’s decline, as a report showed China’s economy expanded in line with the government’s target. U.S. index futures and Asian shares were little changed.

Euro Jobless Scourge Seen Defying Leaders’ Growth Pledge

European Union leaders pondering the fruits of a 120 billion-euro ($163 billion) push to jump-start the economy and create jobs can look to data this week for evidence of how little has been achieved.

Greek parliament approves tax change under rescue terms

ATHENS: Greece's parliament early Saturday approved a new tax bill, part of the latest batch of fiscal reforms tied to the country's next slice of EU loans.

Spanish Bonds Rise After Debt Sale, EU Agreement on Greek Aid

Spanish bonds advanced for a third week in four as borrowing costs fell at a debt sale and after European leaders signed off on the next aid tranche for Greece, stoking optimism the euro-region debt crisis is being contained.

Sarkozy urges European partners to reach compromise fast on euro crisis

PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday called on other European Union leaders to stop quarreling about how to help struggling Greece and instead display the unity that has underpinned the euro currency since its creation over a decade ago.

“What we need most today, is unity,” Sarkozy said. “We have to leave the national fights behind us to find our sense of common destiny again.”