Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will Friday seek support from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, leader of the euro zone's biggest economy, in his struggle to tackle his country's debt crisis.

Merkel has said she will offer no aid to Greece Friday but she has welcomed his cabinet's new austerity measures as an important step.

Europe's biggest economy and traditionally a rock of stability in the euro zone is a crucial player for any aid. German public opinion is firmly against a bailout.

Following are extracts from influential German newspaper editorials on Greece from Thursday:

BILD (Center-right mass-circulation)

Extracts from a letter the newspaper wrote:

Dear Prime Minister,

If you read this, you have entered a country that is quite different from your own. You are now in Germany.

Here, we work until we're 67-years old... Here, we don't have to pay anyone a 1,000-euro bribe for a hospital bed.

And yes, Germany also has high debt, but we can pay it. We wake up early and work hard, because we want to save our money for a rainy day; and because we have companies, whose goods are in demand around the world.

Prime Minister, we want to be friends with Greece. That's why we've given your country 50 billion euros since you joined the EU. But let's be clear: A good friendship requires you to be honest.

FINANCIAL TIMES DEUTSCHLAND (Business)

Greece has been saved, at least until the next financing round... Big EU states -- mainly Germany and France -- can praise each other because their tactics have worked.

The combination of savings promises, vows of solidarity, threats and the hunt for returns has ensured that this time everything went well. Whether this complicated cocktail will work next time is unclear. Markets are still tense ... If you think the Greeks face politically and economically difficult times, which will probably become even more tense due to the new austerity package, the rescue is above all temporary.

FRANKFURTER ALLEGMEINE ZEITUNG (Conservative)

The placement of the Greek government bond is a fine success for Athens, but at the same time it's only a pause for breath on a long and stony path, which will still make demands of the country.

HANDELSBLATT (Business daily)

Front-page commentary:

It's too soon to celebrate. The Greeks still have to painstakingly implement the proper measures. It won't be easy, and the measures will have a negative impact on a large proportion of people. But there's no other way. In fact, it's the only reason the ratings agencies haven't already thumbed their noses at Greece.

Leading article:

It's rare that the financial markets look on a meeting in the German capital of Berlin with such excitement. When Chancellor Angela Merkel receives Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, they will have the undivided attention of every investor.

The successful placing of a Greek bond yesterday shows that it's worth standing firm and keeping the pressure on Athens.

Germany