Tobias Schwarz / Reuters

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras attend a welcome ceremony before talks in Berlin on August 24, 2012.

The Associated Press reports from Berlin — The new Greek prime minister's hopes of winning more time from creditors to implement reforms and spending cuts faced a tough test in deeply skeptical Germany on Friday as he met Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merkel greeted Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at the chancellery with a businesslike handshake and military honors.

In a charm offensive in German and French media this week, Samaras has been arguing that his nation should have more time beyond the mid-2014 deadline to complete reforms that are a condition of it continuing to receive bailout loans. Without the help, Greece would be forced into a chaotic default on its debts and could be forced out of the eurozone. Read the full story.

Guido Bergmann / Bundesregierung via AFP - Getty Images

EDITOR'S NOTE: Image released by the German federal government.
Angela Merkel and Antonis Samaras hold talks at the beginning of their meeting on August 24, 2012 on the roof of the Chancellery in Berlin.

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