German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "the future of Europe is not at stake" because of the crisis over Greece after the breakdown of debt talks and expiry of its aid programme.

"Yes, these are turbulent days. And the stakes indeed are high," Merkel told German parliament. "The world is watching us. But the future of Europe is not at stake. The future of Europe would be at stake if we forgot who we are and what makes us strong -- a community based on rules and responsibility."