Sarkozy, Merkel meet for crucial talks

French President Nicolas Sarkozy met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday in Berlin for talks as the European Union discuss over how to save Greece from bankruptcy. Athens needs an estimated 80 to 120 billion euros (115-172 billion dollars) to avoid bankruptcy, after last year's 110-billion-euro bailout package and a stringent reform programme failed to convince the markets. "Both share a strong interest in keeping the euro stormproof, "German News Agency (DPA) quoted Werner Hoyer, a Foreign Ministry state secretary as saying. France opposes German demands that private lenders, such as banks and insurance companies, be forced to accept losses on their loans to Greece as part of a second bailout. However Hoyer voiced optimism they would settle their differences. The talks precede an EU summit next Thursday and Friday in Brussels.