German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech on Saturday that Greece must implement its austerity programme and praised Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou for his efforts. "I thank the Greek Prime Minister for his austerity programme," Merkel said in a campaign speech in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where there will be an important election on May 9.
"It's an impressive performance. But it has to be done." She added that the problems in Greece have to be tackled at their roots. She said that all European countries have to meet the requirements of the Stability and Growth pact.