Merkel, Hollande vow to 'protect' euro zone (by William L. Watts)
FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on Friday released a joint statement saying they were determined to do "everything possible to protect the euro zone." The leaders said this requires compliance by member states and European institutions "in their own area of expertise." Germany and France "are deeply committed to the integrity of the euro zone," the statement said. Both countries called for the quick implementation of decisions made at a summit of European leaders in late June.