German chancellor Angela Merkel gave a statement on next week’s EU summit in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, and has expressed optimism about the outcome of the Greek bailout talks if Athens “acts responsively”.
Angela Merkel stand firm on finding a solution to the Greek crisis and keeping Athens to the euro zone. "I am still convinced -- where there's a will, there's a way. If the political leaders in Greece demonstrate this will, then a deal with the three institutions is still possible."
“Greece was on a good path, but it has not been completed. It has dragged its heels on necessary structural reforms” she sais futher adding that “Self-responsibility and solidarity go hand in hand.” said Merkel adding that Greece was not the only country that needs help and that Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus had successfully implemented "painful" reforms or were "on the right track."
As usual, Merkel delivered a very measured speech. The only stab at passion was when she said the “euro is far more than just a currency”. At the end of her speech she has received a lot of applause from German lawmakers.