Merkel willing to discuss Greek plea for time

German chancellor Angela Merkel signalled she is willing to discuss a Greek request for more time to meet the terms of its international rescue, leaving the door open to potential concessions.

Responding to a reporter’s question in the Moldovan capital Chisinau yesterday, Merkel declined to discuss the request publicly before meeting with Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras in Berlin tomorrow, saying she would “have the opportunity to communicate directly” with him then.

“We won’t find solutions on Friday,” Merkel said, reiterating that leaders must await a report being drawn up by the troika of the ECB, the European Commission and the IMF.