Jack Lew recognises Greek "sacrifices" in visit aimed at demonstrating Washington's support for debt-hit country
The US Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew, has urged Greece to persevere with tough economic reforms. Lew was speaking on Sunday, during a one-day trip to Athens designed to demonstrate Washington's support for the crisis-plagued country.
Greek government officials said Lew's talks focused on Greece's fiscal progress, before prime minister Antonis Samaras meets President Barack Obama in Washington on 8 August.
"We recognise the difficult decisions and shared sacrifices of the last few years," Lew told reporters, after meeting Samaras at the Acropolis Museum. "Of course the road ahead is still challenging. Continued reform would be essential to laying the foundation for sustained growth."
Greece is dependent on the Washington-based International Monetary Fund and the European Union for bailout funds to keep afloat, as it struggles to recover from its worst economic crisis since the second world war. Lew visited Athens after attending a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers which pledged to put growth before austerity in order to revive the global economy.
Washington has long urged Europe to prioritise growth over fiscal consolidation and Lew reiterated this message in Athens. "Engagement with Europe remains at the top of my agenda, because US jobs and growth are inextricably linked to Europe achieving growth and prosperity," he said.
Lew's trip came three days after the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, a leading proponent of the austerity policies pursued by Samaras's government, also visited Athens. Reported by guardian.co.uk 4 hours ago.
The US Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew, has urged Greece to persevere with tough economic reforms. Lew was speaking on Sunday, during a one-day trip to Athens designed to demonstrate Washington's support for the crisis-plagued country.
Greek government officials said Lew's talks focused on Greece's fiscal progress, before prime minister Antonis Samaras meets President Barack Obama in Washington on 8 August.
"We recognise the difficult decisions and shared sacrifices of the last few years," Lew told reporters, after meeting Samaras at the Acropolis Museum. "Of course the road ahead is still challenging. Continued reform would be essential to laying the foundation for sustained growth."
Greece is dependent on the Washington-based International Monetary Fund and the European Union for bailout funds to keep afloat, as it struggles to recover from its worst economic crisis since the second world war. Lew visited Athens after attending a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers which pledged to put growth before austerity in order to revive the global economy.
Washington has long urged Europe to prioritise growth over fiscal consolidation and Lew reiterated this message in Athens. "Engagement with Europe remains at the top of my agenda, because US jobs and growth are inextricably linked to Europe achieving growth and prosperity," he said.
Lew's trip came three days after the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, a leading proponent of the austerity policies pursued by Samaras's government, also visited Athens. Reported by guardian.co.uk 4 hours ago.