Leading int'l financial bodies demands more reform efforts from euro countries

Xinhua

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Leading international financial and economic organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called for more reform and growth efforts from the euro countries during a meeting on Wednesday in Berlin.

On Wednesday evening, IMF chief Christine Lagarde, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and German Chancellor Angela Merkel came together for a meeting.

Secretary General of the OECD Angel Gurria, head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo, as well as Director General of the International Labor Organisation Guy Ryder, also took part in this meeting.

Growth in the global economy increased in the last year again and received an additional impetus by the falling oil prices, said a joint statement, however, some regions still suffer from a sluggish growth.

It said, the geopolitical risks have grown in different regions of the world and represent a significant burden on global economic development.

In a period of uncertain growth prospects, efforts for ambitious reforms should be strengthened, said the statement.

Merkel stressed that the growth in the European Union was "better than in the past, but not good enough".

With regard to the policy of cheap money, such as in Japan and in the euro zone, Lagarde also warned of risks by global monetary policy.