EU's Tusk Says 'limited Consensus' For Eurozone Reform Push

EU President Donald Tusk on Friday warned that there was only a limited agreement among national governments for plans for post-Brexit reforms to the eurozone, and urged leaders to find unity.

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Mar, 2018 ) :EU President Donald Tusk on Friday warned that there was only a limited agreement among national governments for plans for post-Brexit reforms to the eurozone, and urged leaders to find unity.

The former Polish prime minister made his warning as German Chancellor Angela Merkel travelled to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the stalled reform drive. Tusk said discussions ahead of a eurozone summit next week had gathered "a limited degree of consensus so far," in a draft of a document to be sent to leaders next week which was obtained by AFP.

"Further developing the agenda requires the direct involvement of, and guidance by the leaders," Tusk said, calling for "an open and forward-looking debate". Macron has called for the changes to reboot the European Union and deepen ties at a time of rising populist challenges, with proposals that include a common eurozone finance minister and budget.

The reforms also include the completion of the EU banking union that has until now been bitterly opposed by Berlin. Leaders of the eurozone member states will discuss the reforms with northern member states such as the Netherlands and Ireland eager to stifle Macron's ambition.

Merkel has given a cautious welcome to her French counterpart's ideas, but had been hamstrung for nearly six months struggling to form a coalition government, depriving Macron of a key pillar of support. Eurozone ministers have for months discussed the proposals, but discussions have gone nowhere given the lack of leadership from Germany.