PARIS (AFP) ― French President Francois Hollande vowed Tuesday to do everything possible to defend and strengthen the eurozone, following talks in Paris with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti.

“We recalled once again our commitment to do everything so that, first, the decisions taken by the European Council at the end of June are applied, that the eurozone be defended, preserved and consolidated,” Hollande said.

He also said the two leaders agreed on the need to work to ensure that “questions asked are resolved within the euro area.”

Monti said European leaders needed to focus all their efforts on preserving the single currency bloc.

“We cannot allow ourselves one minute of inattention,” he said.

Hollande said European leaders needed to maintain reform efforts to tackle the crisis.

“There has been very significant progress in recent weeks,” he said, pointing to “the growth pact and stability mechanisms that were defined, which now must be applied.”

He said the strength of Franco-Italian ties “is very important to addressing issues that are still our responsibility ... to consolidate and strengthen the eurozone,” he said.