Karl West and Andrew Oxlade, This is Money
The falling euro could be
stabilised after Greece finally won a £22bn bailout from the eurozone countries.
Germany, Europe's biggest economy,
is understood to have finally agreed to a deal despite facing huge internal resistance to the drastic measure with the German
electorate reluctant to pay for what it sees as profligate Greek spending in recent years.
British taxpayers will not
have to contribute directly to the rescue deal but critics said it was obvious such a large bail-out would have impact around
the European Union bloc - including the UK.
Finance ministers of the 16 member states that use the euro, including
Greece, are preparing to finalise details of the rescue on Monday.
Sources in Brussels said eurozone countries have
agreed a set of 'co-ordinated bilateral contributions' in the form of loans or loan guarantees to Greece that will help ease
the country's financial crisis if Athens cannot re-finance
its soaring debts.
The aid package will go a long way towards nursing Greece's finances back to health, but some European
countries believe Athens could need up to £50bn by the end of the year.
Why Greece SHOULD be bailed out
The credibility and strength of the euro would be undermined - possibly fatally - if Greece is not rescued. The prospect
of a debt default could trigger a domino effect that would crash through the so-called highly indebted other members of the
'PIIGS' - Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain.