Merkel 'suggests Greek euro vote'

German leader Angela Merkel has suggested that Greece could hold a referendum on continued use of the euro when it votes in national elections next month, Greek officials say. A Greek government spokesman said Chancellor Merkel had come up with the proposal during a phone call with the Greek president on Friday. The news broke as US and French leaders held talks in Washington focusing on the economy. The meeting came ahead of a G8 summit. After meeting new President Francois Hollande, President Barack Obama said the situation in the eurozone was of great importance to the people of Europe and the whole world. He said he looked forward to "fruitful" discussions with other G8 leaders, with a strong focus on economic growth. The two met for the first time ahead of the G8 summit. Mr Hollande, who was elected president last weekend, is also due to have talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron shortly. The crisis in the eurozone is expected to dominate talks at the US president's Camp David retreat. Leaders will later move on to Chicago for a Nato summit that will focus on managing the alliance's gradual exit from Afghanistan. From: BBC