Greece wants bold Merkel embrace of Macron's euro zone plans

BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel should be bolder in responding to French proposals to strengthen the euro zone, the Greek finance minister said in interview published on Wednesday, adding that concerns over Italy had highlighted the need to act.

Asked by German newspaper Zeit Online whether Europe needed a vision like that embodied in President Emmanuel Macron's reform proposals or a more realistic approach favoured by Merkel, Euclid Tsakalotos said: "Whether it is realistic or not has to be determined."

He added: "Just continuing as before will not solve the euro zone's problems. Merkel could be bolder. And that would be good for Germany and for her legacy as a European politician."