Hollande: ‘My visit is a visit of support and friendship’

“My visit is a visit of support and friendship," after he had laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in central Athens. “Greece and France have a common history going back many years and France fought to get Greece into the European Union and is fighting today to keep it in,” he added.

Hollande also commented on the refugee crisis, saying the EU must support Greece because its borders are Europe’s borders. Asked by journalists whether the country’s debt will be discussed, he responded: “Of course France intends to bring the issue on the negotiating table and relieve Greece from this burden and Greece must move on with the necessary reforms.”

The French President visited the Monument to the Unknown Soldier accompanied by the prime minister right after his arrival to Athens, where he was greeted by Defence Minister Panos Kammenos. At the monument he laid a wreath, inspected the contingent with the prime minister and then left the Presidential Palace for his meeting with President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.