Picture: AFP

Sarkozy, Merkel: Greece must honour undertakings
 

06 February 2012 | 14:59 | FOCUS News Agency

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Paris. Eurozone power couple France and Germany urged Greek leaders on Monday to "live up to their responsibilities" by voting in favour of an unpopular austerity package designed to slash its deficit, AFP reports.
Speaking at a joint news conference after talks in Paris, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel also said Athens should block its credit interest payments in a special account to ensure it can service its debts.
Merkel warned that Greece can receive no more EU aid to cope with the crisis until it reaches a deal with the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund on tightening up its budget.
"The Greeks gave us undertakings. They should respect them scrupulously. There's no choice, time is pressing. It's a matter of days. Now we need a deal," warned Sarkozy, sending Athens an "unambiguous" message.
Merkel said both she and Sarkozy, leaders of the two largest economies in the eurozone, would remain united and determined in their approach to Greece.