“A failure of Greece would mean a failure of Europe”

“A failure of Greece would mean a failure of Europe”, stated French president Nicolas Sarkozy, right after his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister.

Mr. Sarkozy asked Mr. Papandreou to accelerate reforms which, as he commented, had been delayed, while he stated that he is aware that the Greek people “have suffered greatly”. “We are a family, Europe”, stated the French president, and added “when a member of a family is experiencing difficulties, the other members mobilize to assist them. Greece’s failure would mean Europe’s failure”.

The French president also stated that there is no other solution and made a parallel reference to the present debt crisis and what Lehman Brothers caused in 2008. “We will resist any speculation”, he emphasized, and spoke of the immediate implementation of the July 21st measures in order to accelerate economic integration into the Eurozone.

On his part, Mr. Papandreou briefed the French president on Greece’s status and assure him that our country will meet its obligations to the fullest.

The PM called on Nicolas Sarkozy to send French experts to Greece in order to check the progress of the country and the reforms.

Finally, he thanked Mr. Sarkozy for the continuous support that France has shown Greece.