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Merkel: Greece is voting on its future in the eurozone

Merkel: Greece is voting on its future in the eurozone

Greece will be voting on its future in the eurozone when it holds a referendum next Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a joint press conference with Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on Monday.

In statements following a meeting with the heads of the German political parties in Parliament and the leaders of their parliamentary groups, both Merkel and Gabriel echoed the position expressed by other senior EU officials and said that a 'no' vote would be a clear decision against the euro.

Merkel said she was prepared to continue talks and work with the Greek government if the referendum returned a 'yes' vote, while repeatedly stating that Athens' decision to call a referendum was legitimate.

While saying that no one should put pressure on the Greek people, she also said that it was important to point out the consequences, stressing that it was Greece that broke off the negotiations.

"As a friend - and I continue to see Greece as a friend - we must say what were the developments since February and what the likely consequences will be," she said.

Merkel said that she had no plans to visit Athens and that there was no reason to call an emergency summit, though not ruling out the possibility of a summit after the referendum.

"It is up to the Greek side, after the programme expires, to submit a request for further negotiations, regardless of the outcome of the referendum," she said, announcing that a discussion on the latest developments will be held in the Bundestag on Wednesday.