Merkel and Hollande Work on Greek Tactics

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Greece to stick to its programme of reforms as she began talks with French President Francois Hollande that are likely to be dominated by the state of the debt-wracked nation.

"It is important for me that we all stick to our commitments ... but I will encourage Greece to continue along its path of reforms," Merkel told reporters on Thursday.
She added it was important to wait for a report by Greece's international creditors on Athens' progress on reforms before making any further decisions on whether the recession-hit country could stay in the euro.

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For his part, Hollande said he was in favour of Greece remaining in the 17-country bloc but that this was in the hands of the Greeks themselves.
"I want Greece to stay in the eurozone," he said, adding however: "It's up to the Greeks to make the necessary efforts so that we can achieve this goal."

Antonis Samaras, the Greek prime minister, is geared to embark on a charm offensive trip to Berlin and Paris on Friday in the hope of persuading Europe's big powers that Greece deserves patience.
Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer, reporting from Berlin, said that Samaras could not expect Hollande or Merkel to present any sort of deal for Greece at this time.
Source: Al Jazeera