Strains between France and Germany over a rescue plan for planemaker Airbus increased today when Germany deflected French suggestions that a meeting this week could decide where job cuts will fall.
At the weekend, Airbus postponed announcing a major overhaul plan today, after its European partners failed to agree on a deal.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said today that Airbus restructuring would cost 10,000 jobs and the cuts would be discussed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac at a meeting on Friday.
However, a German government spokesman said that details of cuts and closures were speculation and that the talks would not turn into 'an Airbus summit'.
Meanwhile strong concern was expressed on both sides of the border about the dangers of political interference in how restructuring at aircraft maker Airbus, expected to involve the loss of 10,000 jobs, should be applied.
Airbus is owned by EADS, a defence and aerospace company which is 58% controlled by French, German and Spanish interests which are either state-owned companies or companies with close ties to the state.
