France, Germany reach deal on Greece aid

BRUSSELS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday reached a deal on how to offer help to debt-laden Greece, paving the way for a final agreement by European Union leaders attending a summit here.

France and Germany have been divided on whether to involve the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in dragging Greece out of its debt crisis.

Diplomats said that the deal has been submitted to EU President Herman Van Rompuy and he will decide whether to call a meeting of eurozone leaders to decide on the final agreement.

According to the plan, the bailout for Greece would be a combination of bilateral loans from eurozone countries and help from the IMF.

Diplomatic sources said eurozone countries would make a majority of the contribution, while the IMF would give a substantial part.