November 3, 2011
Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy had harsh words for Greece on Wednesday, warning: "We will not allow the euro to be destroyed." They have also halted bailout payments pending the approaching Greek referendum. The idea of Greece exiting the euro, it seems, is no longer a taboo.
The food was excellent, clearly the product of a gourmet chef. But the conversation was more on the level of a street corner eatery. During a working dinner in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, European Union bigwigs Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy didn't mince words in talks with Greek Prime Minister Giorgios Papandreou.
When the German chancellor and the French president approached the microphone at 10:30 p.m., it was clear that the three-hour-long meal had not been a relaxing one.
"It was a serious situation, it wasn't easy," said Merkel. "We will defend the euro. We want to do that together with Greece. But we are not going to jeopardize this great project of unity. That is our priority." Just to ensure that her warning was understood, Merkel added: "We respect the decision of the Greek people. But we are not going to give up the euro."
The emergency meeting in Cannes, called on the eve of the G-20 summit to be held in the French seaside town on Thursday and Friday, became necessary after Papandreou called a referendum in Greece on whether the country wants to undergo the belt-tightening measures necessary to receive European Union aid money and to remain in the euro zone.
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