German Minister Welcomes RWE's Stronger Position in Renewables
Germany's acting Finance Minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday that it was fundamentally positive that RWE would become a much stronger player in renewables after a planned carve up of Innogy with rival E.ON. "That is a decision of both involved companies. The companies have recognised that the energy switch (from nuclear power) is pushing ahead," Altmaier told reporters before a meeting of euro zone finance ministers in Brussels. "RWE will for the first time get a foothold in a bigger way in renewables. That is for me a fundamentally positive development," he continued, adding that the government would not seek to interfere in the decisions of companies. Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop
Ships Idled as Greeks Strike Again
Policy reforms required to meet bailout terms; parliament expected to measures on May 8. Greeks started a 48-hour nationwide strike on Friday in anger at tax and pension reforms pursued by the indebted nation to qualify for more of a multi-billion euro bailout it signed up to last year. Called by the largest private and public sector unions, the strike left ships docked at port, disrupted public transport and kept civil servants and journalists off the job. Greece's largest labour union, the private sector GSEE, said the reforms, now pending approval in parliament, were the "last nail on the coffin" for workers and pensioners who have sacrificed enough after six years of austerity.
Total CEO Calls for Increased Use of the Euro
French oil giant Total's chief executive officer (CEO) Christophe de Margerie said on Saturday, although they can not do without the dollar, but the euro should play a more important role in international trade. BNP Paribas was after U.S. regulators astronomical fines, some have called on the EU level to find ways to enhance the euro in international trade. Margerie was in answer to questions related to this. "To get rid of dollars, which is unrealistic, but if you increase the use of the euro will benefit," he told reporters. He also said that although oil is quoted in U.S. dollars, but it also does not mean that the actual payment in U.S. dollars.
