BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday avoided giving debt-plagued Greece a commitment of financial assistance, as Athens was rattled by more strikes and violent protests by unions outraged by harsh economic austerity measures.
Greece didn’t ask for financial support, and Germany didn’t offer any in talks between Merkel and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, while Merkel said there would be a common push to crack down on market speculation that has led Greece’s cost of borrowing to skyrocket.
“I repeat that Greece has not requested financial support . . . and I thank (Germany) for its cooperation in facing speculators,” Papandreou said on the second of a four-city tour that began in Luxembourg Friday morning and will take him to Paris on Sunday and Washington on Tuesday.
“Germany can express its solidarity,” Merkel said, adding that she made it clear that “we are here to help, show understanding.” Merkel added that her country could help Greece with its expertise and in other ways. Strict fiscal policy has helped propel Germany to Europe’s biggest economy.
But she didn’t give any specifics of how Germany would show solidarity or what concrete steps will be taken to tackle speculators.
“The support was political support, without mechanisms,” government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis told reporters after the meeting, which was also attended by Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou.
Still, the Greeks said they were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.
