Germany's Merkel Wants Extension Of Greek Debt Maturities-Paper
BERLIN (Dow Jones)--German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pleaded for an extension of Greek debt maturities, in an interview to be published by German newspaper Bild.
"Greece has to cope with the consequences of its grave errors in financial policies. You can't do that in three years," Merkel is quoted as saying in the preliminary version of a report to be published in Bild Friday.
A bailout program for Greece set up in May 2010 is scheduled to run out in 2013.
However, Merkel rejected a restructuring of Greek debt, telling the newspaper "no instruments" for that were available.
The German Chancellor also said further aid for euro-zone countries needs to be linked to strict conditions and that Germany will veto future bailouts if prerequisites for aid aren't given.
Any future bailout also needs to be decided upon by all euro-zone countries, Merkel is quoted as saying.
Euro-zone government leaders meet in Brussels Friday to debate stricter rules on budget discipline, a strengthening of a temporary fund to bailout troubled euro-zone members, and details for a future permanent rescue fund.