German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President FrancoisHollande said they would consider measures to spur economic growthin Greece as long as voters there committed to the austeritydemanded to stay in the euro.

Requests for measures to bolster growth will be “considered” andthe European Union may also “approach Greece with proposals,”Merkel said late yesterday at a joint press conference withHollande during his first official visit to Berlin. “Greece canstay in the euro area,” and “Greek citizens will be voting onexactly that.”

Their encounter, the first meeting between the chiefs ofEurope's two biggest economies, came after Greece announced areturn to the ballot box following the collapse of talks on forminga government. The euro and stocks fell as investors speculated thatGreece may drop out of the single currency more than two yearsafter its budget-deficit blowout triggered a financial crisisacross Europe that continues to rage.