MADRID, Sept 18, 2008 (AFP) - EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Thursday he opposed the use of 'financial socialism' to bail out private companies suffering financial meltdowns, unless they presented risks to the global economy.

PARIS, Sept 16, 2008 (AFP) - European Union countries must stand by budget overspending rules despite the financial crisis, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

BERLIN, May 23, 2008 (AFP) - The EU's top economic official slammed Friday salaries earned by some European business leaders, joining those who have called for action on the socially sensitive issue.

BRUSSELS, May 15, 2008 (AFP) - Inflation in the 15 nations sharing the euro is undesirably high at 3.3 percent in April, the EU's top economic official said on Tuesday, confirming a first official estimate.

BRUSSELS, April 15, 2008 (AFP) - The recent record strength of the euro against the dollar does not reflect current economic reality, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

LONDON, April 3, 2008 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger's faith in Manuel Almunia has been underlined by the announcement that the Spanish goalkeeper has signed an extension to his contract.

BRUSSELS, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Record inflation of 3.5 percent in the 15 nations sharing the euro is a growing source of concern, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Wednesday.

FRANKFURT, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - European Central Bank governor Axel Weber warned on Wednesday that further financial turbulence is likely, in remarks to a newspaper after banking stocks jumped on hopes the sector could be turning the corner.

BRUSSELS, March 10, 2008 (AFP) - Sharp swings on foreign exchange rates, which have recently lifted the euro to a record high, is a source of concern, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Monday.

'The excessive volatility indeed is a matter of concern,' Almunia told journalists on the sidelines of a conference in Brussels.

BRUSSELS, Feb 27, 2008 (AFP) - Extreme volatility on foreign exchange markets, which has lifted the euro to an all-time high over 1.50 dollars, is unwelcome, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Wednesday.

MADRID, Jan 29, 2008 (AFP) - Spain's political parties must take care not to make election promises that will eliminate the country's record budget surplus, European Union Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

LONDON, Dec 25, 2007 (AFP) - Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has refused to rule out switching his national colours to England.

The 30-year-old Arsenal keeper was born in Pamplona but is yet to receive a call from Spain's national team boss Luis Aragones, and in a year he will qualify for England.

MADRID, Dec 10, 2007 (AFP) - US officials are starting to show signs that they are concerned over the weakness of the US dollar, European Union Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Monday in Spain.

LONDON, England, Dec 1, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has revealed his rift with Jens Lehmann is so bad that the rivals no longer speak to each other.

Lehmann sparked the falling out by criticising Almunia after losing his place in Arsene Wenger's side to the Spaniard earlier this season.

LONDON, Oct 24, 2007 (AFP) - Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia insists he won't let Jens Lehmann's jibes ruin the best season of his life.

Lehmann launched an astonishing attack on Gunners manager Arsene Wenger on Tuesday for 'humiliating' him by choosing to play Almunia ahead of him.

The German international also claimed Almunia has yet to show he is experienced enough to deal with the pressure of big matches.

MADRID, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) - EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia on Monday called on EU states to respect the independence of the European Central Bank (ECB) over monetary policy and setting interest rates.

'Everyone has a right to his opinion on monetary policy and on interest rates but nobody should put pressure on the (central) bank,' Spaniard Almunia told an economic forum in Madrid.