The European Union needs to find its own approach to resolving the euro crisis without US interference, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.
"We recognize that this is fundamentally a European problem that requires European solutions," Clinton said. "America can't and shouldn't try to dictate any answer or approach."
Clinton warned EU member states to be mindful of an economic
slowdown due to austerity packages, pointing to signs of trouble even in strong economies such as France and Germany.
The secretary, who is stepping down from the position as President
Barack Obama begins his second term, said the US and the EU need to continue working together with a special focus on transatlantic trade. She said liberalizing trade would result in hundreds of
billions of dollars in additional business for both economies.
Clinton also recounted the successes of the alliance, including ousting Gaddafi in Libya and working with Afghanistan, as she reviewed cooperation over the past four years at a Washington think tank.
Clinton stressed that despite differences, the two continents should continue working together closely on the basis of their shared values of promoting freedom and democracy.
