EU wrestles with balance between austerity and growth

Reports of the European Council, Brussels, 1-2 March 2012.
EurActiv reported that in discussions European Union leaders wrestled with the balance between budget austerity and reviving lost growth at the first summit for two years in which the eurozone debt crisis did not eclipse all else.

The FT reported that UK Prime Minister David Cameron protested that the views of the 13-strong alliance of European leaders pushing for a deeper single market and free trade had been passed over in the Presidency Conclusions in favour of a 'watered-down' Franco-German growth plan.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Cameron rebuilds links with Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-rebuilds-links-with-europe/

European Council: RAPID: DOC/12/4: European Council, Brussels, 1-2 March 2012: Conclusions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=DOC/12/4&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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