New French president's first meeting with Merkel focuses on Greece, economic growth in Europe

Newly sworn in French president Francois Holland flew to Berlin this week for his first as president meeting with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor to discuss fiscal policy and how to boost economic growth throughout recession hit Europe.

Hollande's flight was struck by lightning on the way to Berlin. Could it mean sparks in his relationship with Angela Merkel? Or is it the gods announcing impending doom for the eurozone?

Whatever the future holds, at present Hollande is keen to get across his hopes to work well with Germany in order to implement the new fiscal policy and reinforce budget discipline, which Merkel states is a “precondition for sustainable growth”.

This meeting was also a chance to send a signal of Franco-German unity ahead of the upcoming European Union summit in June; the main item on the agenda was the economic crisis in Greece. Both expressed a wish for Greece to remain part of the Eurozone, but urged the Greeks to stick to the austerity program agreed with the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hollande stated that the votes of the Greek people will, however, be respected, whatever the outcome. The pair have differing political view points, with Hollande being a socialist, and Merkel a conservative. The close working relationship between Angela Merkel and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was well known. The French press used to refer to them as 'Merkozy'. During the French presidential elections Merkel openly backed Sarkozy and there has been much speculation of a possible change in the relationship between the eurozone's two biggest economic powers. However, for the time being Hollande and Merkel at least appeared put aside their differences in order to work together towards a common goal. Merkel claims that members of the Eurozone share a common responsibility saying “People who have a common currency will never fight a war against each other”. Growth in the European economy was central to Hollande’s presidential campaign. He is passionate about focusing on reviving economic growth, reducing public debts and budget deficits throughout Europe. By working together and providing a united front, the Franco-German pair are hoping to provide stability and enforce steady, sustainable economic growth and provide joint proposals at the EU summit. Nicola Peyton, nicola@romania-insider.com