The Korea Herald

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‘Sooner the better’ for firewall deal: France

By Korea Herald

Published : Feb. 27, 2012 - 14:00

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) ― French Finance Minister Francois Baroin Sunday called on Europeans to rapidly agree on boosting a firewall against the debt crisis, after a G20 meeting in Mexico which urged progress on the issue.

“I agree with Wolfgang Schaeuble, that the month of March is good,” Baroin said, referring to a date proposed by his German counterpart, after a meeting of finance ministers and central banks here.

“Objectively, the sooner the better,” Baroin said.

France hopes the amounts for an increased European crisis fund and an eventual boost to the resources of the International Monetary Fund, which Europe is seeking, will be as high as possible, Baroin said.

The greater the resources, “the fewer attacks there will be.”

The European debate should not delay discussions on raising resources for the International Monetary Fund, he added, after the G20 urged the eurozone to install a bigger firewall before other countries give more cash to the IMF.

“It’s not about answering the question: ‘which comes first, the chicken or the egg? ... It’s about moving forward together on both issues,” he said.