In her final press conference at the European Council, the Chancellor called for more reform. "We still face tough times ahead," she warned. While some important reforms have been realised, "we can expect only minimal growth rates next year, and some countries will see their economies contract further," she said. "We must expect continued very, very high unemployment."

2012 a positive year on the whole

Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that 2012 has been a positive year on the whole. "It was a year that saw a lot of very hard work, but it was also a year that saw us make a great deal of progress." 

Positive outcomes include the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), budget consolidation with the fiscal compact and agreement on a common bank supervisory body. Greater economic policy coordination is to make the euro zone more competitive. 

Commenting on the resolutions of the European Council, the Chancellor explained, "We have agreed on a roadmap for completing economic and currency union." 

Between now and June 2013 the European Council will lay the foundations to make the EU more competitive. Work is to focus on details, "as to how we can conclude agreements between the Commission and the member states to improve competitiveness, and what sources of funding might be available to support countries that are focusing all their efforts on consolidating their budgets," explained the Chancellor.

Restoring human rights in Syria 

At the summit meeting, the EU heads of state and government once again called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Syria only has a future without Assad, declared the Chancellor. Once he has renounced power, human rights must be restored in Syria.

The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy explained that the foreign ministers are now called on to explore all possible options for supporting the opposition in Syria.