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Victoria Mindova

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit is breaking the international isolation of Greece, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stated at a joint press conference in Athens. The Prime Minister has stressed that Greece is determined to fully meet its obligations, but it should be granted extra time. "We do not want more money or favours, we want more time to fulfil our commitments," Samaras told the Chancellor. He has made it clear that the recovery of the Greek economy is possible, but the local economy needs measures to stimulate economic growth along with the implementation of the fiscal adjustment.

"The period that Greece is traversing is very difficult. A large part of the road has been travelled despite the difficulties," Angela Merkel said in turn after the meeting with the Greek Prime Minister. She stressed that a lot has been done so far and it is evident from the reduction of the deficit. However, the Mediterranean country still has work to do. Merkel said she had discussed with Samaras the measures that should be immediately taken before the release of the report of the supervisory Troika of the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission.

The Greek Prime Minister admitted that the country is to take bolder steps with structural reforms.

"The Greek people are now bleeding," Samaras said, stressing that recession remains the biggest enemy of rescue attempts. Merkel supported the actions the country has undertaken so far but she has made it clear that she cannot guarantee the future of Greece. "I hope that Greece will remain in the euro area," she answered a question of a journalist who wanted to know whether her presence in Athens would guarantee the European future of Greece. "I do not represent the Troika," she said, adding that it all depends on the report of the lenders' mission.
 
The German Chancellor stressed that European countries are connected by the common currency and the common goal is to recover the situation in the euro area. A prerequisite for success is the actions of the Greek government and people. "Many things have been done so far. Others have to be done but I am convinced that we will succeed," Merkel concluded.