Germany, France in show of unity

Germany and France agreed to drive ahead measures on closer European integration in a renewed show of unity by the region’s two biggest economies to fix the crisis in the eurozone.

German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, speaking after talks in Berlin with French counterpart Pierre Moscovici, said the two countries would create a working group to advance co-operation on banking union, fiscal union and the strengthening of monetary union in Europe.

“We’re having to deal with a phase of weakening growth in the global economy, but also in Europe,” Mr Schaeuble told reporters.