Sarkozy calls on EU members to show "sense of compromise" on Greece

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Thursday on European Union members to show a "sense of compromise" on defending the euro from the threat to the Greek economy, which risks bankruptcy unless it secures a second bailout, DPA reported.

Speaking at an international meeting of farmers in Paris, Sarkozy called for unity.

"We must get beyond our national quarrels in order to rediscover our sense of common destiny," he said.

"It's all our duty to do everything to preserve the stability of the eurozone because, without stability, there is no growth possible for any of us," he said.

"I call on everyone to show a spirit of responsibility and the necessary sense of compromise on which Europe was built," he said, adding: "We must defend our single currency and defend European institutions."

Greece needs another 80 to 120 billion euros (115-172 billion dollars), on top of the 110 billion euros it got last year from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, to avoid bankruptcy.

Sarkozy said the debate was about form - and not the principle - of another rescue package.

Bailout-weary eurozone countries such as Germany are insisting that banks must share the cost of any new rescue deal.

On Friday, Sarkozy will travel to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to try to hammer out a consensus position on the issue ahead of a summit next week of EU leaders.