EU macroeconomic picture poor, says economic affairs chief

(AGI) Brussels, July 22 - "The European macroeconomic pictureis disappointing, and recent data on Germany sounds the alarmbecause it indicates that the weakness is more persistent intime and widespread in space than what we expected six monthsago," Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan told theEuropean Parliament's economic affairs committee. Mr Padoancurrently heads the committee. . .