FRANKFURT, Germany — The CEO of German automaker Volkswagen said the United States remains a “core market” for the company despite its diesel emissions scandal and underlined it hopes to expand.

Matthias Mueller made the comments today at the company’s annual news and investor conference at its headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Mueller said that “we are standing by our investment decisions and intend over the long term to play a significantly greater role there than today.”

The Volkswagen brand has only a small share in the U.S. market although it is important for the company’s luxury brands Porsche and Audi. It makes cars in Chattanooga, Tenn.

[naviga:h3]Berlin airports’ staff on strike for 2nd day[/naviga:h3]

BERLIN — Ground staff at Berlin’s two airports are on strike for the second consecutive day in a wage dispute, again forcing the cancellation of most flights to and from the German capital.

The ver.di union, which is seeking improved pay for about 2,000 employees at several companies at the Tegel and Schoenefeld airports, called them out on strike from early Monday morning to early Wednesday morning.

On Monday, 660 departures from the airports were canceled and similar problems were expected today.

[naviga:h3]Gas find off Egypt may be sign of more [/naviga:h3]

NICOSIA, Cyprus — A senior official with Italy’s oil and gas company Eni said the discovery of a huge natural gas deposit in Egyptian waters has boosted hopes of other such finds in the eastern Mediterranean that could help meet Europe’s energy needs.

Eni SpA Chief Exploration Officer Luca Bertelli told a gas conference today that his company’s “milestone” discovery of Zohr, estimated to hold 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, has reinvigorated the interest of other oil and gas companies.

He said waters off Cyprus hold potential for new discoveries while exploration opportunities are coming soon with Lebanon and Israel offering offshore areas.