Helsinki, 18 October 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Denmark says it has no intention of proposing changes to the pact underpinning the European single currency, which European Commission President Romano Prodi called "stupid" and "rigid." Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact must be strictly interpreted.
The pact requires the 12 euro-zone members to keep budget deficits under 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Several countries are pushing for more flexibility in the rules. Denmark is the current EU president but is one of three EU members outside the euro-zone.
A spokesman for Prodi, Jonathan Faull, said today the president "does not regret a word" of his comments, which came in a newspaper interview yesterday.
European members of parliament have asked Prodi to appear before the assembly next week to explain his remarks.
The pact requires the 12 euro-zone members to keep budget deficits under 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Several countries are pushing for more flexibility in the rules. Denmark is the current EU president but is one of three EU members outside the euro-zone.
A spokesman for Prodi, Jonathan Faull, said today the president "does not regret a word" of his comments, which came in a newspaper interview yesterday.
European members of parliament have asked Prodi to appear before the assembly next week to explain his remarks.