President Obama calls Zapatero over 'Economic Crisis'

The President of the USA yesterday called Prime Minister Zapatero to discuss the economic problems that Spain is currently facing.

The White House confirmed that the conversation took place, and said that they had been informed how the Spanish Government had already started to apply new economic reforms.

The spokesman did not give details of the conversation, but said the call was made by the President because Spain’s problems meant that reforms were needed. He said that Obama and his economic team have been supervising the situation in Europe for some weeks, and that the President had been in contact with some leaders to ‘encourage them to take the steps needed’ to avoid any slowdown in the recovery from recession.

Prime Minister Zapatero speaks to Congress on today to outline the additional economic measures required by his Government, including the 0.5% extra deficit reduction this year and 1% for 2011.