French PM urges Merkel to avoid 'simplistic talk' on euro

(ANGERS) - French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Thursday urged Angela Merkel to avoid "simplistic talk" after the German chancellor said Berlin could not provide quick fixes to the eurozone crisis.

"The situation in Europe is sufficiently critical not to give in to simplistic talk. We need to deal with things seriously and courageously," Ayrault said, warning that the "future of the eurozone is in danger".

In a speech to German lawmakers, Merkel said Europe could not take the easy way out with quick fixes smacking of "mediocrity" that failed to address core problems.

She said Germany was an engine of economic growth and stability in Europe "but Germany's powers are not unlimited."

Ayrault warned that "the future of the eurozone is in danger", saying that a European summit on June 28-29 "must be a success" and that discussions "were far from over."

Paris and Berlin are at odds over what initiatives to take to stimulate growth in the eurozone and maintain budgetary discipline.