–Adds Date Of Vote And Alleged Merkel Comments To Story Sent 08:42 GMT

BERLIN (MNI) – The German parliament will most likely approve
financial aid for Greece if the country meets its obligations set by
official lenders, key lawmakers in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s
CDU/CSU-FDP government coalition said Friday.

“I firmly believe” that there will be a majority in parliament for
the aid packages, said Michael Meister, a vice leader of the CDU/CSU
parliamentary group. “We continue to support Greece and want to hold the
Eurozone together.”

Michael Fuchs, another vice leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary
group, echoed these remarks: “I’m convinced that there will be a
majority if the Greeks are willing to meet their obligations.”

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the parliamentary leader of the SPD, the
largest opposition party, also signaled support for the aid measures for
Greece.

Merkel warned at the meeting of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group
today that a default of Greece would carry uncontrollable risks, said a
source who attended the meeting.

A government spokesman also stressed at a regular press conference
here today that a Greek default was not in Germany’s interest because
the fallout would be completely uncontrollable in the view of many
experts.

Parliament is scheduled to vote on the aid measures on February 27.
The late date is due to the fact that the lawmakers want to see Greece
implement some of the required reforms before voting on the aid package,
several lawmakers said.

Eurozone finance ministers Thursday night withheld their approval
of tentative deals struck by the Greek government on a debt
restructuring with international bondholders and on reform measures
needed to secure a second bailout in a bid to force Greek authorities to
commit to ambitious reforms and honour past agreements.

The ministers will meet again next Wednesday to see if they can
approve the deals, provided the Greek government takes steps to
implement key measures before then, Eurogroup President Jean-Claude
Juncker said.

–Berlin bureau: +49-30-22 62 05 80; email: twidder@marketnews.com

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