Merkel Lends Support for Samaras

"The glass is half full and we will fill it to the top," noted Ms Merkel, but declined to take a position on the ongoing talks between the government and troika representatives.

Ms. Merkel did recognize the attainment of a primary surplus and noted when official figures are out the Eurogroup will make a relevant decision, and adding tha then Germany would keep to its commitments.

"We're a step ahead of attaining our targets," said Mr. Samaras who also expressed the government's willingness to continue and finalize structural reforms, and noted his optimism for the succesful conclusion of talks with the troika.

Mr. Samaras also reiterated that there would be no further cuts in salaries and pensions and opined that development would remedy the fiscal gap.

SYRIZA chief Alexis Tsipras called the Greek premier "lamentable" stressing that "he didn't go to Berlin to negotiate, but to beg Angela Merkel to take pity on him, with his only argument the danger of SYRIZA coming to power."

"Mr. Tsipras constantly proves how cheap he can become. Pity," was the comment by government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.