Christine Lagarde on the other hand believes that there was no risk of decoupling of the German and French economies, but rather between the economies of both countries and those of some peripheral European countries. Asked about the risks to the eurozone because of the slowing U.S. economy, she said: It is clear that the threat comes from the West because the East and South are our major emerging markets which will shoot growth, but from bases that are obviously weaker than the U.S. or Japan.

Asked about the risks to the European sovereign debt after the degradation of Ireland by the rating agency Standard&Poor’s on Wednesday, she said: I note that the refinancing rate has never been so low, especially for countries like France or Germany.

The spreads have not stretched, instead it is really a spread tightening, I speak of France, of course, I’m not concerned with this point of view and I think that access to liquidity for banks is quite flexible and comfortable now, she said.

Coveted by many French and foreign clubs, the prolific striker Kevin Gameiro has expressed this Sunday in an interview granted to Equipe that he wants to leave Lorient but without going to showdown with its leaders.

Given market conditions, I feel they ask too much… If forced to stay, he will, it said, without sulking. However, he did not intend to extend his contract with the Hake which expires in 2012.

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