Berlin - The leaders of France and Germany called Wednesday for a relaxation of the European Union's stability and growth pact in order to cushion the effects of the global financial crisis.

Some countries might be forced to exceed the pact's tough fiscal rules which limit new borrowing to 3 per cent of GDP, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Nicholas Sarkozy said.

In a joint newspaper column for Germany' Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and the French daily Le Figaro, they said disputes over deficit criteria needed to be avoided in such "exceptional times."

Berlin  - Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks Monday on the future of ailing carmaker Opel as a debate flared on the company's request for state aid.

Opel is seeking credit guarantees from Berlin to counter a financial squeeze, triggered by dwindling sales and problems with its parent company General Motors.

Taking part in the meeting at the chancellor's office were Opel chief executive Hans Demant, the head of GM's European operations Carl-Peter Forster and the head of the company's employees' council Klaus Franz.

Berlin - A cabinet minister ruled out a government bailout for the German auto industry on Monday as Chancellor Angela Merkel prepared to meet the management of Opel to discuss state aid.

The troubled carmaker has requested credit guarantees from Berlin to counter a financial squeeze, triggered by dwindling sales and problems with its parent company General Motors.

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated the first democratic

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Monday for a NATO summit next year to give a sign to Russia that NATO valued it as an important partner.

Addressing an annual conference hosted by the German Atlantic Society, she said she had high expectations of the cross-border NATO summit to be held next April in Kehl, Germany and Strasbourg, France.

It is to mark the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Berlin - NATO's military operations in Afghanistan are a decisive test of the military alliance, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday in Berlin.

Addressing a conference of the German Atlantic Society, she said NATO's acceptance, success and worldwide standing depended on what it achieved in Afghanistan.

She added she had high expectations of the cross-border NATO summit to be held next April in Kehl, Germany and Strasbourg, France, marking the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.