BERLIN, May 11 (Reuters) – Germany’s foreign minister laid
out a six-point plan for a European “growth pact” on Friday, but
said Greece must stick to its reform commitments if it wanted to
receive further aid and remain in the euro zone.
In a speech to the Bundestag lower house of parliament days
before a visit to Berlin by new French President Francois
Hollande, Guido Westerwelle said Germany too wanted to focus on
growth but not if it meant more spending.
“On the European level we want to focus on growth more as
well,” he said. “The European Union cannot spend more than
before but it must use its means better than it has so far.”
He said Germany wanted to hold the euro zone together but
that it was up to Greece to decide whether it wanted to stay in
the currency bloc.
“The future of Greece in the euro zone lies in the hands of
Greece. We want to and we will help Greece, but Greece has to be
ready to accept help. If Greece strays from the agreed reform
path, then the payment of further aid tranches won’t be
possible. Solidarity is not a one way street,” he told German
lawmakers.
(Reporting by Stephen Brown and Noah Barkin)
