Prime Minister Paroubek meets German counterpart Chancellor Merkel

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek visited Berlin on Tuesday for talks on bilateral relations and EU matters with Germany's new Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two politicians say their countries enjoy excellent relations. Mrs Merkel welcomed the British attempt to solve the EU budget crisis, but said serious talks will have to be held with the newer member states to come to a compromise over the proposed budget cuts. Chancellor Merkel also reiterated that any restitution claims made by Sudeten German individuals would not be backed by the new German coalition government.