
Global stocks and the Euro rallied on Wednesday after the world's leading central banks agreed to cut the cost for European banks to borrow much-needed dollars.

The United States and European Union agreed on Monday to develop a plan to capitalize on already strong economic ties to create more jobs and fuel economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

The European Union has been forced to accept a 2% rise in its budget next year, much less than the increase it wanted of around 5%.

Intense European pressure forced debt-stricken Greece to seek political consensus on a new bailout plan instead of holding a referendum after EU leaders raised the prospect of a Greek exit from the Euro to preserve the single currency.

If Greece decided to leave the Euro, it would also have to quit the European Union, according to the terms of the EU treaties, the European Commission said on Thursday.

Brazil's government is encouraged by Europe's announcement of a plan to resolve the nagging debt crisis, though more details are needed on the proposal to determine its viability, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said Thursday.

European Union leaders announced an agreement early Thursday in Brussels on debt crisis measures including a hard-fought deal with private sector investors to write down Greek bonds by 50%.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has urged Tory MPs not to vote for a referendum on the UK remaining in the EU, saying it would be a distraction.

Uruguay’s strategy is to attract foreign private investors and offer the necessary guarantees to develop their business, said President Jose Mujica in a brief summary of his ten day European visit of four countries and the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels.

The European Union has agreed that around 100 billion Euros is needed to recapitalise the European banking system, but splits remain before a high-profile summit on Sunday over how to strengthen the Euro zone's bailout fund.