But I think that we should get the order right: first reform, then the next steps towards more integration. Taking economic and monetary union as an example, there remains a lot to be done to become a stable monetary union – in the case of the United States, it took more than a century of conflicts.
But still, over the last two years or so, domestic drivers of growth have strengthened in Germany. This is certainly good news, as the basis for growth has become broader. The good shape of the German economy is also reflected in more recent developments. Last year, the economy regained momentum after a brief dip in late 2012 and early 2013.