Greek bail out deal must be 'quicker', says Merkel

The leaders of Germany and France have met for the first time this year, trying to inject new momentum into the fight against Europe's debt crisis.

Speaking at a news conference after the meeting Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy said they hoped a new treaty on tighter budget controls would be signed by 1 March.

Mrs Merkel also warned that debt-stricken Greece needed to reach a deal quickly in order to receive further help.