On the Call: Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent

By The Associated Press

Coca-Cola Co. sold more drinks in each of its regions except for Europe in the second quarter. CEO Muhtar Kent talked about the company's business in Europe during a conference call with investors Thursday.

QUESTION: Can you talk more about the performance within Europe?

RESPONSE: Europe is like a tale of two cities. You've got the East -- that is still challenged, very challenged. Central and East Europe, very challenged, although Russia is beginning to show signs. ... the sun is beginning to come through the clouds in Russia and Ukraine. ... We look forward to seeing how that will progress.

But certainly I think the Western Europe, the economies -- the consumer is better positioned, less confused and has a better outlook than the consumer in East and Central Europe and particularly also South Europe, like Greece. ... That is a tale of two cities, the south and east being more consumer challenged ... than the west. I think we saw, again, some improvement in trends in our business in Iberia, in France, as well as ... trademark Coca-Cola was very healthy in all of western Europe, in England, generating growth in France. ... We were very encouraged with that.