More Germans think Greece should stay in eurozoneOctober 11, 2012 - 16:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - For the first time in more than a year, more Germans think Greece should stay in the eurozone than want it to leave, a poll showed on Thursday, Oct 11, according to Reuters. The Politbarometer survey for broadcaster ZDF showed that 46 percent of those asked believed Greece should keep the euro compared with just 31 percent in August, when fears about the eurozone debt crisis were more acute. It is the first time the Politbarometer survey has shown more Germans supporting Greek membership than not in just over a year. Still, a hefty 45 percent said they thought the country should quit the currency union due to its massive debt problems. The results of the poll, conducted from October 8 to 10, follow Merkel's first visit to Greece since the debt crisis erupted nearly three years ago. Until now, most Germans have supported Merkel's tough line with Greece and other debt-crippled eurozone states. On Tuesday, she braved protests in Athens to stress her commitment to keeping Greece in the currency zone. Merkel offered Prime Minister Antonis Samaras no concrete relief before a report by international creditors on the country's progress on savings targets. Several German newspapers were critical of her visit, with some commentators saying it could ease the pressure on Greece to implement radical savings measures. The poll also showed that 57 percent of Germans believed Greece should not receive further credit if it fails to stick to its savings targets, acknowledging that could mean bankruptcy for their eurozone partner. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |