Year for Germany, the Euro and the EU to face the music

Shoring up the troops for a new year attack,  Mrs Merkel ties prosperity to the euro, saying the EU's biggest economy was committed to the single currency....BBC 3-1-11

The German people have emerged stronger from Europe's economic crisis, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her new year's message..... despite the worst crisis in more than 60 years, Mrs Merkel said: "The euro is much more than a currency...

"A united Europe is the guarantor for our peace and freedom. The euro forms the foundation of our prosperity.

Germany needs Europe, and our common currency, for our own well-being and also in order to overcome big challenges worldwide." ......ends                               Left: A Party political poster on the outskirts of Cologne 2011