G8 leaders call for strong eurozone

G8 leaders convened on Saturday in Camp David, Maryland, where they said the right measures are different for each country, but all backed a strong and cohesive eurozone that includes Greece.

“We agree on the importance of a strong and cohesive eurozone for global stability and recovery,” a final G8 joint communiqué stated, stressing the groups’ commitment to helping debt-ridden countries fix their fiscal balance sheets, AFP reported.

“We affirm our interest in Greece remaining in the eurozone while respecting its commitments,” read the document, which also insisted that Athens stick fast to the terms of a massive cash-for-reforms bailout.

But Greeks recently voted in droves for anti-austerity parties, raising doubts about the country’s commitment to reforms.

There is also no guarantee that pro-bailout factions will win in the election scheduled for June 17, which was called after Greek parties were unable to form a new government.

If the pro-austerity parties lose, foreign lenders will face a dilemma to either lower their demands on Greece or refuse to bail Athens out, which would lead to a Greek default and its exit from the eurozone.

Meanwhile, European Union powerhouses France and Germany are at loggerheads over how to tackle the eurozone’s economic crisis.

Ahead of the Camp David summit, US President Barack Obama threw his weight behind the French drive to rebalance German-led austerity-first policies.

Critics say the ambitious effort to cut Europe’s debt has caused higher unemployment, pushed Greece to the verge of bankruptcy, and worsened the crises in Italy and Spain.

The crisis in Europe could also have serious consequences for the US economy and jinx Obama’s chances for re-election in November.

MRS/HGL

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