PM says Europe divided over economic policy

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said a summit of Europe's leading economies in Berlin on Sunday had exposed deep rifts over how to tackle the financial crisis. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands met in Berlin to hammer out a common European policy ahead of a G20 meeting in April. Although they approved a joint statement on the need for greater regulation of financial markets and increased IMF funding, the Czech prime minister said the difference of opinions was considerable, with some member states less inclined than others to abandon protectionist measures, both on a national and EU-scale. Both the Czech EU presidency and the European Commission have voiced concern at attempts by France, Italy and Spain to shelter their car industries from the effects of the downturn.