Mario Monti fears financial crisis could rip Europe apart

ITALIAN Prime Minister Mario Monti fears that tensions sparked by the eurozone crisis have turned countries against each other and could tear Europe apart.

Asked about resentment in Italy towards Germany and complaints of German arrogance in its handling of the debt crisis, Mr Monti told German news magazine Der Spiegel that he was "concerned".

He said he had talked with Chancellor Angela Merkel about growing resentment in Italy not only towards Germany and at times Ms Merkel herself but also towards the European Union and the euro, according to an advance copy of Der Spiegel.

But he said the problem went far beyond the relationship between Germany and Italy.

"The pressures, which have accompanied the eurozone in recent years, already bear the traits of a psychological breakup of Europe," Mr Monti said. "We must work hard to contain it."

And he warned that if the euro became a reason for Europe to drift apart, "the foundations of the European project" would be destroyed.  (AFP)