Merkel appeals for EU solidarity, rejects "debt union"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented a passionate appeal for solidarity among eurozone nations countries in a speech on Monday, rejecting the notion of a "debt union." Addressing crowds at the ongoing Gillamoos folk festival in the southern German province of Bavaria, Merkel said countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain were going through a difficult period and "deserve our solidarity." "We wish them to be able to overcome these difficulties," she said in her 30-minute speech to some 3,000 people in one of the beer tents at the festival. CSU General Secretary Alexander Dobrindt, who accompanied Merkel on her appearance at the festival, recently triggered intense criticism when he said Greece leaving the eurozone was inevitable, even from within the ruling centre-right coalition. Merkel reiterated that at this moment, Greece, Portugal and Spain would have to push forward with the implementation of their reform programs despite the difficulties. The so-called "Iron Lady" said she was strongly against the pooling of sovereign debt in the eurozone, reaffirming "we want Europe in a stability union, not a debt union." "The fact that Europe has experienced no wars during the past 67 years is something nobody should take for granted all over the world," Merkel said, lavishing praises on peace-promotion efforts during the process of European integration. Merkel added that Europe must continue to cooperate by sticking together tightly. "By no means could any single European nation pull it off alone," she said. The festival in Abensberg coincides with the largest political extravaganza in Bavaria, after the so-called Political Ash Wednesday.