Kenny in Berlin for debt talks

Enda Kenny will fly to Germany today to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel for further talks on the eurozone debt crisis.

Ms Merkel will hold informal talks with the Taoiseach, as well as the leaders of the Czech Republic and Latvia, at Meseberg Castle, an official state residence outside Berlin.

A Government spokesman said topics of discussion would include the current crisis and the “long-term vision” for the EU.

Mr Kenny has spoken repeatedly of his desire to see the EU move beyond the austerity approach and focus on measures to stimulate economic growth.

The Taoiseach will then travel from Berlin to Rome to meet with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti tomorrow.

The spokesman said Mr Monti was an “eminent figure in the European firmament” and Mr Kenny was keen to “establish a

dialogue” with him.

Like Mr Kenny, Mr Monti has warned about the need for Europe to focus on growth measures.

“I am demanding heavy sacrifices from Italians,” Mr Monti told a German newspaper last month.

“I can only do this if concrete advantages become visible.”

If a positive outcome of austerity does not become apparent, said Mr Monti, “a protest against Europe will develop in Italy, including against Germany, which is seen as the ringleader of EU intolerance, and against the European Central Bank”.

Mr Kenny’s meetings with Ms Merkel and Mr Monti come ahead of the European summit of leaders in Brussels on March 1 and 2.

Among other items, the Brussels summit will assess progress on the fiscal compact, the new set of budget rules that have been agreed by 25 of the 27 member states.

The summit is also expected to consider the firewalls in place to try and contain the debt crisis.