German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her “heart bleeds” for Greeks suffering a crushing economic crisis and defended Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann’s criticism of plans by the European Central Bank to buy bonds of indebted countries.
Merkel reiterated her hope to to keep Greece in the Eurozone but didn’t off any new concessions, insisting that it must carry through the reforms it has pledged. She dodged questions whether Greece might be given more time to implement unpopular cost-cutting plans and structural reforms, pointing to a report from Greece’s international debt inspectors that is expected next month as the basis for decisions.
Merkel said Germany is ready to help Greece and wants it to succeed, but says it’s important that “these reforms, some of them difficult, be carried through.” She said that she feels for the sacrifices of Greeks but that nothing would be gained by resisting reforms and austerity measures.
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