Enlarge image Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Chancellor Merkel (© picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com)

Chancellor Merkel wants Greece to remain a part of the euro zone, she stated on Friday after her meeting with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Berlin. At the same time, she said she also expects Greece to implement the assurances it has made.

She underscored that Germany and Greece are bound by friendship and Germany will do its part to support reforms. Meeting obligations and expectations will bring about a return of confidence for the whole euro zone, she said. Therefore, it is important to support the efforts of the new Greek government.

Her meeting with Samaras followed a meeting Thursday with French President François Hollande, during which they called upon Greece to stick to its reform course. The pledges must be implemented, Merkel reiterated after the meeting on Friday. She encouraged her Greek guest to continue to advance the reform program in his country. There is much still to be done, but, she said, she believes that it is being worked on.

The European debt crisis is related to a loss in trust, something that involves the entire euro zone, Merkel said. “Therefore, we must win back trust,” Merkel said.

Enlarge image Germany and Greece are bound by friendship and Germany will do its part to support reforms. (© picture alliance / dpa)

The Greek Prime Minister made clear that his country needs opportunities for growth. He believes that the troika will arrive at a positive assessment of Greek reform efforts. Greece will deliver results, he said.

Chancellor Merkel assured that Germany would not draw any premature conclusions but would await reliable fundamental information, namely the report of the troika (European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) in September.