Euro zone suffers from integration fatigue

BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The euro zone is suffering from integration fatigue and banking union might be the last big push for the foreseeable future, officials in the currency bloc say.

Signs point finally to end of Europe recession

FRANKFURT: After a year and a half of recession, Europe's battered economy could finally be showing signs of life. It's not the kind of recovery that calls for a big celebration.

Merkel Says Euro Nations Must Follow Germany’s Lead on Growth

Chancellor Angela Merkel said euro nations must follow Germany’s lead in tightening budgets and reshaping labor markets to return to growth as she seeks to stave off any crisis eruptions before elections in September.

Down So Long, It Looks Like Up to the Euro Zone

FRANKFURT — This is what passes for good economic news in Europe: Spain just added 265 jobs.“Clearly encouraging,” the nation’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said of the development.

Eurozone unemployment rate hits record high

Unemployment in the eurozone touched a fresh high in April, fuelling fears that the deepening jobs crisis threatens the social fabric of the currency bloc.

The Resolution of the Cyprus Banking Collapse Paves the Way for More Crises

The international financial community and the markets have declared victory over Cyprus’s banking crisis. But the solution imposed on Cyprus–taxing big deposits–may pave the way for the next European financial crisis.

Euro Leaders Demand Austerity as Italy Nears New Vote

European leaders demanded that euro members press on with budget cuts to end the debt crisis as Italy edged closer to a new election after an anti-austerity vote last week resulted in political deadlock.

Merkel Rebuffs Rajoy’s Call to Do More to Boost Euro Stimulus

German Chancellor Angela Merkel rebuffed calls by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that euro nations in better financial health should help the bloc out of its economic slump by spurring growth.

Is this the year that the eurocrisis ends?

The European Central Bank has moved to shore up the euro, investors are more confident, and European leaders are surprisingly upbeat.But critics warn that Europe is not out of the woods.

Merkel Says Euro Crisis Recovery Is Worth Austerity Pain

Chancellor Angela Merkel said the promise of lifting the euro area out of its debt crisis is worth the pain that’s being caused by German-inspired austerity.

European Union urges Greece to strike deal with creditors

VIENTIANE: European Union president Herman Van Rompuy urged Greece on Tuesday to reach an agreement with its troika of creditors so that it can receive a new financial lifeline.

Spanish unemployment hits record high 24.6 per cent

MADRID: The number of people unemployed in Spain hit a record high, official figures showed Friday, as the International Monetary Fund urged European leaders to quickly fulfill their promises to help the country and the 17-country eurozone.

World Bank chief warns no region immune to European crisis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Wednesday warned that most regions of the world will be hurt by the debt crisis enveloping the euro zone and said it was vital to protect the strong economic gains of the past decade in the developing world.

Greek exit would be 'catastrophe', says former Greek PM

A Greek exit from the euro would be a "major catastrophe", former Greek PM George Papandreou has told the BBC.

Greek euro exit would halve incomes, report warns

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's biggest bank says that if the country exits the euro currency bloc the effect on the nation's populace would be dramatic.

European business activity falls to near three-year low

Activity at European businesses hit a near three-year low in May, according to a survey by Markit. Its index, based on a survey of purchasing managers in the manufacturing and service sector, fell to 45.9 in May, a 35-month low.

Eurozone crisis: Germany and France clash over eurobonds at summit

European leaders were locked in deep divisions over the future of Greece and the single currency, with Germany and France at loggerheads for the first time in 30 months over how to restore confidence in the euro.

Euro zone to bolster firewall; Spain concerns grow

BRUSSELS: Euro zone finance ministers are ready to sign off on an increase in the region's financial firewall this week, with concerns about Spain's fiscal position banishing any complacency that the currency bloc's debt crisis is a thing of the past.

Analysis: Out of intensive care, Europe risks chronic illness

(Reuters) - The euro zone is out of the emergency ward, but it may face a chronic debilitating illness rather than a rapid convalescence.

Spain planning to breach EU budget targets, warns prime minister Mariano Rajoy

Mariano Rajoy, prime minister of Spain, said the budget deficit would be 5.8pc of GDP in 2012 - more than 30pc higher than the 4.4pc target agreed by Brussels.