President Obama says debt relief, reforms needed for Greek recovery

President Obama arrived in the Greek capital Tuesday morning, beginning a week-long foreign trip in which he will serve as an unlikely emissary of President-elect Donald Trump.

Obama’s reassurances reflect an attempt to ease the deep concerns about Trump and the future of America’s treaty alliances. Trump has threatened to unravel a multi-nation deal to curtail Iran’s nuclear weapons programs, and may favor reversing sanctions on Russian Federation meant to deter its aggression toward neighbors.

“There needs to be significant change in our party”, said DNC National Finance Chairman Henry Muñoz III, who’s considering a bid for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

In his meeting with Tsipras, Obama offered a welcome message of support for the Greeks as they struggle with both economic woes and a huge influx of refugees.

The American president will conclude his trip with a stop in Peru for a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).

He says nations that focus on inclusion will in the long-term be more successful.

During the news conference, Tsipras said his government was committed to making institutional reforms.

Asked about Trump’s move to appoint Steve Bannon, a far-right conservative media mogul as chief strategist and senior adviser, Obama said it was up to the president-elect to appoint a team.

Mr Pavlopoulos thanked him for the U.S. support of the Greek people in a time of social and economic crisis, and said he was confident Mr Trump “will continue on the same path”.

Obama has not weighed in directly on the leadership fight.

On Wednesday, President Obama is expected to tour the Acropolis and deliver a speech about democracy.

The president said the U.S.

While Obama pushes for a resolution on the Greek impasse with its European Union creditors and the International Monetary Fund, the real question is what President-elect Trump’s stand on the issue is, Keridis said. ‘And I know that that begs the question, well how is it that somebody who has a very different world just got elected’.

Trump, with no governing experience, has alarmed many US allies by proposing that intelligence agencies resume the “enhanced interrogation” techniques opponents describe as torture to advance the fight against Islamic terrorism.

“The U.S.is there to offer advice, guidance and support and a lot of leverage to the International Monetary Fund, but that’s it”, he said.

Trump’s words and demeanor have softened since winning office, raising hopes among some observers, including Obama, that he may similarly moderate his most polarizing positions.

“And I think that’s going to be an interesting test, because I think I can make a pretty strong argument that the policies we put forward were the right ones, that we’ve grown faster than just about any advanced economy”.

Trump’s attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin – the NY mogul called him “a leader, far more than our president has been a leader” – is deeply concerning in Europe, particularly in small countries like the Baltic nations living in Russia’s shadow.

“Presidential elections always turn on personalities”, he said.

Later this week, Obama will meet with other European leaders to offer the same guarantee that the region’s alliance with the USA will not be harmed under the upcoming administration. And Obama is using this trip to try to underscore the USA commitment to the alliance.