In the evening of April 18, 2012, Premier Wen Jiabao, at request, held a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the European debt issue.

Wen said that he is glad to see the efforts made by the EU and related EU members as well as the international community to handle the European debt crisis and the achievements which have been made. Facts show that Europe itself plays a crucial role to solve the debt issue. China is always confident in the European economy and the stability of Euro. As long as the EU unites as one and takes appropriate policies, it will be able to overcome the crisis and step on the track of continuous recovery.

He stressed that the international financial crisis has not ended yet and Europe's economic and financial stability has critical influence on the stability and sustained recovery of world economy. China attaches great importance to the European debt issue from a strategic and overall perspective, firmly supports the stability of Euro and the European economy, supports Europe to do what it should do and supports such major international financial institutions as the International Monetary Fund to play an important role.

Merkel introduced the European economic situation and the latest progress of handling of the crisis.