German call for EU control of Greek budget angers Athens

FRANKFURT (AFP) - Germany wants the European Union (EU) to take control of the Greek budget as the euro zone loses patience with Greece's reform efforts, officials said on Saturday as Athens categorically dismissed the idea.

'There are discussions and proposals in the heart of the euro zone, including one from Germany' to 'reinforce control over programmes and measures already in place,' a European source said.

The source was confirming a report in the Financial Times that under Germany's plan a commissioner appointed by the other euro zone finance ministers would be able to veto budget decisions made by the Greek government.

The report came as Greek officials were in talks with private creditors on a major debt writedown to avoid a looming default, and ahead of a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Monday focused on a new fiscal pact.