. >> you are asking a theoretical question which i think jean-claude trichet could answer. i have understood with politicians, sometimes in this world of communication have much more power to her statements then it is always needed and it can be very constructive. it? that obviously -- speak it is a philosophical question. >> not at all, but i would say we have made a decision very clearly that we are moving on a path which is, i guess there will be -- this is a decision made in the european union, a lengthening of the debt we have today imf and the european union there've been discussions about the terms of the loan also. these are in the pipeline. all will be positive, and at the same time, i would say that we have to see you have mentioned the growth scenario in the european union, which is on the one hand a new confidence by the markets towards our country but it also is i would say using a number of methods, the eurobond. this is something that generally people have approved of as methods of investing in projects and particularly into a greener europe which i think is

term price pressures remain contained despite rising energy commodities cost per president jean-claude trichet repeated the very close monitoring of inflation as warranted. i am particular grateful that chairman bernanke agreed to be our first luncheon serious guest of my term. please give a warm national press club welcome to chairman ben bernanke. [applause] >> thank you. thanks, and good afternoon. >> i am pleased to be here and to have a conversation with journalists who write about economic policy from our nation's capital. your job is not easy but it is essential. virtually every american is affected by developments in economics and economic policy. contemporary economic issues are highly complex and a few non- specialists have the time or the background to master these issues on their on. the public has to rely on built- in reporting, clear thinking, and lucid writing of reporters determined to go beyond doing bumper stickers and sound bites to help people understand what they need to know to make a decision about in their personal finances and at the polls. these are weighed response a

. >> you are asking a theoretical question which i think jean-claude trichet could answer. i have understood with politicians, sometimes in this world of communication have much more power to her statements then it is always needed and it can be very constructive. it? that obviously -- speak it is a philosophical question. >> not at all, but i would say we have made a decision very clearly that we are moving on a path which is, i guess there will be -- this is a decision made in the european union, a lengthening of the debt we have today imf and the european union there've been discussions about the terms of the loan also. these are in the pipeline. all will be positive, and at the same time, i would say that we have to see you have mentioned the growth scenario in the european union, which is on the one hand a new confidence by the markets towards our country but it also is i would say using a number of methods, the eurobond. this is something that generally people have approved of as methods of investing in projects and particularly into a greener europe which i think is

speculation is building as to who will take over as president of the european ntrabank after jean-claude tree shea -- trichet steps down later this year. azel -- axel weber has long been considered the front runner, but he says he is not available and is considering moving to deutsche bank. berlin's annual fresh produce expo is under way. it comes at an interesting time politically, with good security a major pic eptnd tunisia. both countries have representatives at the international trade show. both are still going through rough times. that has been affecting exports, despite the high demand for exotic fruit in germany. >> produce wholesalers throughout north africa are doing a booming business, with most of their wares exported to europe, where demand continues to climb. tunisian fruits and vegetables are sought after in france, italy, and germany. continuing unrest is beginning to affect the private sector. it is a growing concern. >> the dockworkers are demanding higher pay. most work on a day-by-day basis, but want to see immediate improvement in long-term contracts. >> in some north african cities such

i would love to discuss this question with ben bernanke or jean-claude trichet.have run out of time. before i sum up, i'd been asked to remind you to the japanese prime minister will be giving a message immediately after this. you are asked very kindly to stay and hear him. we have not had anybody from japan here on the paddle. it is an opportunity to find out what this country thinks. i have failed to shake the policymakers from their competence but they are in control. at the moment, we are definitely in a post crisis mode. confidence is very substantial, but fortunately, there are enough for is out there that maybe confidence will not become extinct over the next year. we can get it through the next year, there is a very strong sense of that on this panel. it has been a long list of risks mentioned. youth unemployment, a long list of very large issues out there. the general perspective is that we got through this crisis, thank you. there was striking confidence -- astonishing -- that the political commitment to the euro and that this system is going to survive

is building as to who will take over as president of the european central bank after jean-claude tree shea -- trichet steps down later this year. azel -- axel weber has long been considered the front runner, but he says he is not available and is considering moving to deutsche bank. berlin's annual fresh produce expo is under way. it comes at an interesting time politically, with good security a major topic in egypt and tunisia. both countries have representatives at the international trade show. both are still going through rough times. that has been affecting exports, despite the high demand for exotic fruit in germany. >> produce wholesalers throughout north africa are doing a booming business, with most of their wares exported to europe, where demand continues to climb. tunisian fruits and vegetables are sought after in france, italy, and germany. continuing unrest is beginning to affect the private sector. it is a growing concern. >> the dockworkers are demanding higher pay. most work on a day-by-day basis, but want to see immediate improvement in long-term contracts. >> in some north african ci

i would have loved to have discussed this question with jean claude trichet or ben bernanke but, unfortunately, neither is on the panel. we've run out of time. before i sum up, incredibly briefly, i've been sad to remind -- asked to remind you that the japanese prime minister will be giving a message immediately after this, and you're asked very kindly to stay and hear him. we haven't had anybody from japan here on the panel, so it's an opportunity to find out what this very important country actually thinks. i just make four points. as usual, i have failed to shake the policymakers from their, their confidence that they're in control and everything's going to be fine. at the moment we are definitely in a post-crisis mode in davos. as i like to think of it, a pre-crisis mode in davos. [laughter] confidence is very substantial but, fortunately, there are enough worries out there that maybe confidence won't become excessive over the next years. it's very much my view that maybe we can get through the next year. there's a very strong sense of that on this panel. but, of course, there's been a lon