European leaders in markets pledge

Structural reforms and public spending key to economic recovery, say European leaders.

Strict oversight of the world's financial markets. Sanctions against tax havens. European-wide stimulus measures.

These were the prescriptions offered for the world's economic ills by European leaders in Berlin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited the continent's leading politicians to the mini summit.

Merkel called for unity after a week dominated by accusations of protectionism between European nations.

SOUNDBITE (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYING:

"Trust can only be restored if people in our countries feel that we are making a joint effort and that we have understood that we need to learn lessons from this crisis."

The summit comes ahead of a full meeting of the world's leading economies, the G20, in London in April.

SOUNDBITE (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY SAYING:

"We all want London to be a success. We all realise that it's the ultimate chance. We cannot allow there to be failure in London."

New tensions within the euro currency bloc and the financial woes of European Union members in the east cast a cloud over the meeting.

Outside a group of anti-globalisation protesters gathered.

The demonstrators said attempts at reforming the world's financial systems are not enough.

Seven key points were agreed by the leaders, who called for global action.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, GORDON BROWN, SAYING:

"We need a global new deal. We need a grand bargain between the countries and continents of this world so that the world economy can not only recover but, as Angela Merkel has said, the economic system of the future can be based on the soundest and best principles of all."

U.S. President Barack Obama and the leaders of China, Brazil and India will be among those attending the London summit.

Jim Drury, Reuters