EU chief welcomes end of German political deadlock

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday congratulated both main German parties for having achieved an agreement to end weeks-long political deadlock since mid-September.

The chief of the European Union (EU) executive arm said in a statement that the agreement "provides a strong and stable solution for the future German government".

Barroso also said that he was looking forward to working very closely with Angela Merkel, who is supposed to become the next German Chancellor succeeding Gerhard Schroeder.

"I am looking forward to a constructive, forward looking German government, ready and willing to tackle today's problems and offering real and tangible solutions to Europe's citizens," said the president.

The deadlock in Germany had compounded the turmoil-wracked EU's problems, from a flagging economy and squabbles over its funding to the crisis over its rejected constitution.

But on earlier Monday, Germany's biggest parties confirmed a deal to form a grand coalition under Angela Merkel.

Source: Xinhua