Brussels, 30/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 October, Germany was not very enthusiastic about the idea mooted in Madrid two days before by the head of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, to make the granting of extra time to countries to correct their deficits conditional upon the concrete introduction of reforms. Martin Kotthaus, a spokesman for Germany Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaüble is quoted by AFP as saying that he didn't know what type of concrete manner Dijsselbloem had in mind, but it would probably be put forward by him and discussed in December. Kotthaus said the Germany government gives very decided and clear backing to stronger implementation of the current stability and growth pact. Reacting to Dijsselbloem's comments, the European Commission said on Tuesday that it expected member states that were granted extra time to implement the necessary measures and that it was keeping a very close eye on the situation (see EUROPE 10953). (EL/transl.fl)