Merkel says open to creating eurozone budget, finance minister

[PARIS] German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday she was open to the creation of a finance minister and budget for the eurozone as proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"I have nothing against a eurozone budget (and) we can talk about creating a European finance minister," Ms Merkel said after talks in Paris with Mr Macron.

"We agree that the eurozone must be stabilised and further developed," Ms Merkel said at a joint press conference with the French leader.

"It is in our greatest interest that all eurozone countries are strong," she said.

Mr Macron has warned Germany that it must move to correct the "dysfunctions" of the eurozone and give it "the fate it deserves".

A eurozone budget and finance minister would require changes to EU treaties.

Ms Merkel reiterated Thursday that major reforms would have to wait until after September elections in Germany - which her centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is expected to win.

"We need a mandate from parliament, which we will seek after the elections," she said.

AFP