"We are all watching the challenge facing Greece in proceeding with structural reforms to reduce its debt. The Prime Minister told me that he is committed to go ahead, but this cannot be done solely through austerity measures. Apart from budget consolidation, there has to be growth and job creation," Obama stressed.He also noted that the US will stand by Greece by providing assistance, saying that there is a strong relationship between the two countries, as Greece is a partner of the US in NATO and cooperate in the military sector and security issues.
According to the state news agency the US President added that Greece is located an area facing challenges and difficulties and can play an important stabilising role and provide solutions to problems including that of Cyprus.
On his part, Samaras said that Greece and the US are not only allies but also share the same values. "The enormous sacrifices by the Greek people should not be in vain," he said, further referring to the problem of unemployment in Greece and particularly youth unemployment.
The Greek premier added "the Greek success story will also be a European success story? and that Greece is trying to achieve stability in a very destabilised environment.
Turning to the issue of Cyprus, Samaras said there was a window of opportunity and that Greece is going to work on it.
Samaras also made note of Greece's massive energy reserves, in the Greece-Cyprus-Israel triangle.
"We are trying to align synergies by contributing to Europe's energy security," he said.Ahead of his meeting with Obama, Samaras also met and held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry, who on his part apparently expressed solidarity with the efforts made by the Greek people. Reports in the Greek press claim that the hour-long discussion focused mainly on issues of mutual interest, and notably on developments in the wider region (meaning the Balkans, the Middle East and especially the Eastern Mediterranean).
It is also suspected that the US official also spoke about ways to promote defense cooperation with Greece, recognising the importance (for the US) of having a strong NATO ally in the region.
A day earlier and while in the US, Samaras also met with twenty high-level officials from the largest global investment funds, in New York City. The companies represented manage investment portfolios totalling among them 850 billion Euros, and from what was reported discussion focused on new investment opportunities in basic economy sectors and on the economic prospects of Greece.
Interestingly, a few days before Samaras' trip to the US and in an all out interview to the Kathimerini newspaper and more specifically to reporter Alexis Papachelas, US Vice-President Joe Biden said that the United States wants Greece to remain a strong and vital part of the Eurozone.
"The administration has always taken the view that it's overwhelmingly in our interest to have Greece remain a strong and vital part of the eurozone as it undertakes difficult reforms to modernize its economy. We've made that view clear to Europe, to the world, and to Greece," he said.Commenting on Samaras' visit to the Oval Office, Biden said that foreign policy issues would probably figure prominently in the agenda, including the Greek government's plans for the EU rotating presidency that it takes over in January, while he underlined that the US-Greece relationship "matters a great deal to both of our countries," highlighting Greece's help and support in addressing "global security challenges", such as operations in Libya or stabilising efforts in Kosovo, and the country's role as an "essential voice" in the Eastern Mediterranean.
(Combined Reports)
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