German Chancellor Angela Merkel warns of worldwide economic risks
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of persistent economic risks due to global factors, and vowed Monday that Germany _ Europe's largest economy _ would keep to its agenda of reforms to tackle unemployment.
"Despite all our successes we may, under no circumstances, sit back," Merkel said, according to a prepared speech to be broadcast later Monday. "The risks for our economy and our growth are too high, especially due to worldwide factors."
Merkel said 2007 had been a positive year for Germany, which had taken a "good step forward."
She noted that, for the first time since Germany's unification in 1990, the country had come close to a balanced budget and improved its standing in research and education.