Stimulus must end quickly

THE multi-billion euro stimulus packages by EU governments to help their economies survive the economic crisis must end as soon as the corner is turned, European finance ministers have agreed.

They did not agree a common policy on the issue but the Czech Finance Minister, Miroslav Kalousek who chaired the meeting, said if continued past their useful date, the extra liquidity pumped into the markets could destabilise the public finances of European countries.

They discussed a so-called exit strategy against a background of the European Commission’s spring forecast that showed government debt growing significantly.