Juncker to visit Greece

Juncker will meet Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on his first visit to a member state since being named to head the Commission, the European Union's executive arm.

"My priority is jobs, growth and investment and I am pleased to be going to Greece to discuss these priorities," Juncker said in a statement on Friday.

"I want to send a message of hope and optimism by recognizing the efforts of the Greek people and the Greek government in reforming their country," he added.

As head of the 18-nation eurozone group of finance ministers, Juncker was a crucial figure in negotiating two tough rescues for Greece worth 240 billion euros plus a debt writeoff worth more than 100 billion euros.

Now he will be pressured to assist the country's initiative in the upcoming talks about Greece's debt sustainability, which are expected to start some time during this autumn.