Visiting PM Papandreou receives support for Greek measures from German PM Merkel

   BERLIN (ANA-MPA - V. Mourtis/P. Stangos) In statements after his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said she had been very positive in her support of the harsh measures taken by the Greek government to curb state spending and raise revenues, including public-sector wage cuts and higher indirect taxation.

    He said that support for the measures and a decision for joint action by the two countries against speculators were the two main elements making up the political support given by Germany to Greece.

    A third element was the expand bilateral cooperation in seven sectors, via a joint committee set up by the two countries.

    Papandreou said his meeting with Merkel was indicative of the good relations between Greece and Germany, while stressing that the measures taken by his government had been necessary, if painful, in order to emerge from the crisis.

    The Greek premier repeated that Greece had not asked for economic assistance, which was confirmed by the German chancellor, and that Greece was not seeking to shunt its responsibilities onto others.

    "We are responsible for our country, for solving its problems, but we need political and moral support, which we received from Germany," he stressed.