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Hollande applauds anti-austerity Abe in Japan

The success of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's big-spending, austerity-busting economic policies in recent times is "good news" for Europe, French President François Hollande said on Friday on an official visit to the country.

Hollande applauds anti-austerity Abe in Japan
Is Japanese PM Shinzo Abe (R) "leading the way" for French President François Hollande (L) with his austerity-bashing policies? Photo: Toru Yamanaka/AFP

French President Francois Hollande said Friday the big spending and ultra-loose money aimed at boosting Japan's flagging economy was "good news" for austerity-weary Europe.

Speaking in Tokyo, where he is on a three day visit, he noted the apparent early success of policies implemented by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his bid to end 15 years of growth-sapping deflation.

"The Japanese government has taken a number of measures since Mr Abe's team came to power," he told reporters. "It is not for me to judge them, they are a matter for Japan.

"But the priority given to growth and the fight against deflation, along with the emphasis on competitiveness for business… is good news for Europe, because in Europe we also have to give priority to growth."

France is leading a growing charge in Europe against Germany's insistence on fiscal discipline as the eurozone tries to dig itself out from under a mountain of uninspiring economic news.

In a draft document released in April, Hollande's Socialist Party pilloried German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her "selfish" insistence on austerity as the solution to Europe's debt crisis.

It said she was obsessed with "Berlin's trade balance and her electoral future".

Since his election a year ago, Hollande has vowed to tip the main focus of Europe's economic recovery efforts towards growth rather than austerity.

Japan's Abe announced huge fiscal stimulus measures and pressed the country's central bank into a huge easing programme as he tries to get the economy moving after years of its treading water.

Although the sheen has somewhat dulled after steep falls in the last two weeks, the Tokyo stock market had lapped up the moves, rising by around 80 percent at its highest point.

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ANGELA MERKEL

Merkel says ‘still time’ to find Brexit solution

There is still time to find a solution to Britain's exit from the EU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday, voicing optimism on a political deal over the tricky "backstop" that has stymied progress.

Merkel says 'still time' to find Brexit solution
Merkel speaking to Japanese students at Keio University on Tuesday. Photo: DPA

Speaking to Japanese and German business leaders in Tokyo, Merkel stressed that “on the one hand, time is pressing” and businesses using “just-in-time” delivery processes could not afford lengthy customs procedures.

However, she added: “From a political point of view, there is still time. Two months is not a long time but there is still time, and this should be used by all sides.”

SEE ALSO: 'We must do everything to avoid a no-deal Brexit': Merkel

SEE ALSO: Merkel spokesman says reopening Brexit deal 'not on agenda'

Britain is poised to leave the EU at the end of March following a 2016 referendum.

Merkel acknowledged the issue of the unpopular Northern Ireland backstop 
provision was “complicating” Brexit talks.

The backstop is intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with 
Ireland, but Brexit supporters fear it will keep Britain tied to EU customs rules.

She said the issue with the backstop was a “problem that is precisely defined and therefore one should be able to find a precisely defined solution”.

SEE ALSO: How to swap your German driving license for a British one

“But this solution depends on the question of what the future relationship 
between Britain and the EU will be like and what type of trade deal we sign 
with each other,” added the chancellor.

Throwing the ball into London's court, she stressed: “It will be very important for us to know what exactly the British side sees as its future 
relationship with the EU.”

After meeting Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe Monday, she urged “creativity” and “goodwill” to find a solution. 

However, she was clear that any solution could only come via the political 
declaration attached to the withdrawal agreement — rather than re-opening 
talks on the actual exit deal.

There are concerns in London that any tweaks to the political declaration  will not be legally binding.

Her Monday comments were seen as conciliatory and boosted the pound as British Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to engage in further talks with EU officials to break the Brexit deadlock as the exit date approaches.

A top EU official, however, sounded the alarm bell after talks with British 
MPs.

Martin Selmayr, the right-hand man of European Commission President 
Jean-Claude Juncker, said the meeting had confirmed the view that the EU was right to start in December 2017 preparations for a “no-deal” Brexit.

Merkel said relations between Britain and the EU bloc were currently strong and would remain that way. 

“Over the last two years during which we have been dealing with Britain's 
exit, we have worked more closely together than during several years when Britain was a member of the European Union,” she quipped to laughter.

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