German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called Antonis Samaras, congratulating the pro-bailout New Democracy (ND) leader on winning the Greek general elections.

During the telephone talk, Merkel expressed hope that the debts-ridden Greece will stick to its European commitments, a German government spokeswoman said.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble also expressed optimism toward the outcome in favor of the pro-bailout ND by Greek voters in a statement, saying that the vote result will prompt Greece to move forward "on the path of profound economic and fiscal reform."

The fulfillment of austerity and reform program should lead Greece back on the path of economic stability, Schaeuble said, adding that "this path will be neither short nor easy but is necessary and will give Greek people the prospect of a better future."

Greece, with a "pro-European government", must continue with all the obligatory reforms, said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, while stressing that Greece should stay within the eurozone, but "nobody can keep whoever being wilfully-minded on leaving."