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Sunday, May. 20, 2012 |  Syndicate content

EU leaders back fiscal pact, bigger firewall

Page last updated at 15:19 GMT, Monday, January 30, 2012 - 20:19 EST

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CNN Money:

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Most members of the European Union will sign a new fiscal compact. But the first summit of the year ended without new solutions for the debt crisis in Greece.

European Union leaders agreed Monday to strengthen a financial firewall and most members of the 27-nation group will sign a new fiscal compact. But the first summit of the year ended without new solutions for the debt crisis in Greece.

The leaders of all but two members the 27-nation EU agreed to sign a pact designed to prevent governments from running excessive deficits and racking up unsustainable debts.

For now, the Czech Republic could not sign up, while Britain already rejected the treaty, which was first announced in October.

The leaders also agreed to implement the European Stability Mechanism, a permanent rescue fund, in July. The €500 billion ESM was originally set to enter into force next year, when a temporary bailout fund expires.

"The early entry into force of this permanent firewall will prevent contagion in the euro area and further restore confidence," said European Council president Herman Van Rompuy.

Read the whole story: CNN Money

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