Germany pledges aid to Greece, urges reform
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier promised further financial aid to Greece as he met with Greek premier Antonis Samaras in Athens on Friday morning. In return the government must push forward with reforms, he warned.
Steinmeier praised Athens for its efforts in clearing up the crisis-stricken national finances. However, he also urged Greek lawmakers to push forward with reforms despite their current dismal approval ratings.
"The work which is being done here is not only a task for Greece but for Europe," said Social Democrat Steinmeier at the start of his visit - his first foreign trip since taking up the post in December. "I've expressed my encouragement for that [work]," he added.
Greece, which in January took over the revolving EU presidency, has spent the last years sunk in a deep financial crisis. The international community has so far ploughed €240 billion in aid into the country, including sizeable contributions from German taxpayers.
In return, creditors have demanded Greece undergo wide-ranging structural reforms.
Other EU members have expressed fears that the reform drive will be abandoned if Samaras' centre-left coalition government collapses as a result of upcoming European elections in May.
Observers have noted that Greek politics is becoming increasingly polarized, with the far-left Syriza and far-right Golden Dawn parties gaining ground in opinion polls.
Meanwhile, media reports said on Friday that Germany will soon replace its ambassador to Greece following an attack on the German embassy in Athens by unknown gunmen in December.
Diplomat Peter Schoof, known for his work improving Germany's relations with its EU neighbours, is tipped for the position, which is considered key for German foreign relations in light of anti-German feeling in the country.
If his appointment is confirmed by Merkel's cabinet, Schoof would replace current ambassador Wolfgang Dold, who has been in the position since March 2012.
READ MORE: Germany to launch EU charm offensive
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Steinmeier praised Athens for its efforts in clearing up the crisis-stricken national finances. However, he also urged Greek lawmakers to push forward with reforms despite their current dismal approval ratings.
"The work which is being done here is not only a task for Greece but for Europe," said Social Democrat Steinmeier at the start of his visit - his first foreign trip since taking up the post in December. "I've expressed my encouragement for that [work]," he added.
Greece, which in January took over the revolving EU presidency, has spent the last years sunk in a deep financial crisis. The international community has so far ploughed €240 billion in aid into the country, including sizeable contributions from German taxpayers.
In return, creditors have demanded Greece undergo wide-ranging structural reforms.
Other EU members have expressed fears that the reform drive will be abandoned if Samaras' centre-left coalition government collapses as a result of upcoming European elections in May.
Observers have noted that Greek politics is becoming increasingly polarized, with the far-left Syriza and far-right Golden Dawn parties gaining ground in opinion polls.
Meanwhile, media reports said on Friday that Germany will soon replace its ambassador to Greece following an attack on the German embassy in Athens by unknown gunmen in December.
Diplomat Peter Schoof, known for his work improving Germany's relations with its EU neighbours, is tipped for the position, which is considered key for German foreign relations in light of anti-German feeling in the country.
If his appointment is confirmed by Merkel's cabinet, Schoof would replace current ambassador Wolfgang Dold, who has been in the position since March 2012.
READ MORE: Germany to launch EU charm offensive
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