Merkel wants Greece to remain in euro zone

Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged on Friday to support the new Greek government as it struggles to reform its economy, saying the heavily indebted Greece must remain in the euro zone.

Ms. Merkel met in Berlin with the Greek PM, Antonis Samaras, for his first official visit abroad. She expressed confidence that the government in Athens “will do what it takes to solve the problem in Greece,” and pledged to focus on healing the rift that has grown between the two countries, the New York Times reports.

“What I want is to bring the two realities that have emerged back together into one reality,” Ms. Merkel said. “Now it’s the task of those who have political responsibility in Europe to bridge that gap. I want Greece to stay in the euro zone and that’s what I’m working for.”