Merkel, Hollande hold first ever talks on euro crisis

Berlin – New French President Francois Hollande has met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, shortly after his inauguration as France’s first Socialist leader in 17 years.

He was speaking in Berlin following talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hours after being sworn in.

Both leaders said they wanted to keep debt-stricken Greece in the euro. They will hold an informal summit on 23 May.

Mr Hollande said “everything must be put on the table by everyone” that could promote growth.

He included the possibility of eurobonds, which would pool the debts of eurozone nations, backed by all 17 member governments.

Mr. Holland’s first attempt to fly to Germany following his inauguration failed after the presidential plane, a Falcon 7X, was hit by lightning shortly after take-off from a military air base outside Paris. No one was hurt, but the plane returned to the base, where the president boarded a second aircraft and left for Germany.

Mr. Hollande’s visit to Berlin for the key talks with Chancellor Merkel was his first order of business after officially taking office in a modest and rain-soaked ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

During his nationally televised inaugural speech, Mr. Hollande promised