German FM delivers message of support to Greece

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday delivered a message of support to Greece and the Greek EU presidency during a two-day visit in Athens. Steinmeier became the first foreign minister to visit the Greek capital a day after Greece's official assumption of the EU presidency. "I chose this period to come to Greece in order to express our respect to Greece's efforts and our support to Greece's EU presidency," Steinmeier said in statements to the press following talks with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Friday. In regards to the Greek crisis, the German official praised Greece for the progress achieved so far, noting however that challenges remain. He urged Athens to continue on the path of reform. Referring to the Greek EU Presidency's goals, he underlined that a successful presidency will benefit Greece and the entire Union. During an earlier joint press conference, Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos assured that Greece will stick to the reform path and pursue its EU Presidency's targets with determination to succeed. He welcomed Steinmeier's visit as a "good omen" for the Greek EU Presidency and bilateral relations. The German official's visit comes in a period of high anti-German sentiment in Greece over Berlin's role in austerity economic policies across the Union. In late December, the German ambassador's residence in Athens came under an armed attack by still unidentified perpetrators. During his visit to Athens, Steinmeier also held meetings with representatives of opposition parties, entrepreneurs and youth.