Greece

Greece on Obama’s Agenda at G7 Summit; Intensifies Pressure for Solution and Structural Reforms in Greece

By Gregory Pappas

June 07, 2015

World leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) increased their pressure on Europe to resolve the crisis over Greek debt. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, host of the Group of 7 summit meeting, told reporters that “We can’t say yet that the problem is solved.”

President Obama also intensified pressure for a resolution, with the White House warning that a failure by Europe to reach a deal could spark broader financial instability around the globe.

In a private meeting between Mr. Obama and Ms. Merkel on the sidelines of the summit, the two agreed “that it was important for Greece and their partners to chart a way forward that builds on crucial structural reforms and returns Greece to sustainable long-term growth,” Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said on Sunday.

“There obviously is a deadline that’s looming,” Mr. Earnest added, saying the president was hopeful that Greece would pursue such changes “without causing undue volatility in the global financial markets.”