US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner  (in picture) spoke today of his confidence in the EU to solve the ongoing eurozone debt crisis. After meeting German officials yesterday he spoke to french officials including Prime Minister François Fillon and President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris today. After the talks he said he was “encouraged by the progress they’re making.”

Despite his upbeat remarks, his visit to Europe is widely seen as a move to up the pressure on Europe's politicians to find a solution to the crisis. Although making positive remarks about French and German plans for closer fiscal union and tighter control of eurozone economies, Geithner ruled out US funding for an IMF eurozone bailout package. China has echoed US support for eurozone proposals. Next up for talks with the US Treasury Secretary are Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Spanish prime Minister-elect Mariano Rajoy.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Federal Reserve)