As Greece oriented for a fresh election after the last effort to form a government failed in Athens, new French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have voiced their support for the debt-stricken nation to remain in the euro zone.

France, Greece, Germany

The two leaders said last night after their first meeting in Berlin that they both wanted to keep Greece in the 17-nation group. They also offered their support to promote growth in their EU partner and help it to emerge from the present crisis in Greece.

At the same time, they prompted the Greek politicians that their country has to fulfill its commitments to the EU. “We want Greece to remain in the euro zone and we know that this is the wish of the majority of the Greek people,” Merkel told a joint news conference with Hollande after their one-hour meeting in the chancellory. The meeting was an occasion for the two leaders to get to know each other and to smoothen their relations after Merkel’s open support for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the election campaign.

Greece and euro zone

Her refusal to acquire Hollande during the political campaign had also caused some irritations in Greece. Hollande said he promised the Greek people will reaffirm their adherence to the euro zone in the upcoming election. He also mooted the idea of a European growth policy for Greece.

France Prez. Hollande said he hoped the Greek people will reaffirm their adherence to the euro zone in the upcoming election. He also mooted the idea of a European growth policy for Greece. The meeting in Berlin was stand out by the news from Athens that a last-ditch effort by President Karolos Papoulias to form a government of experts unsuccessful because of continuing differences between pro and anti-bailout parties. A caretaker government will rule the country until the election, which is hoped-for to take place in four weeks.