"You are on the right track but more must be done..."

The debt repayment extension that Greece has been granted can be discussed within the context of the overall response to the European debt crisis, according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her joint statements with Prime Minister George Papandreou, after their meeting in Berlin.

Mrs. Merkel acknowledge that Greece is on the right track and has begun to bring order, though she did not fail to point out that “this road is not easy” and that it “requires political courage”.

When asked about the reactions of German citizens, she noted that “many in Germany are convinced that Greece is on the right track, but there are still some things to be done”.

On his part, Prime Minister Papandreou stressed that all reforms that the Greek government has introduced are progressing, with the final aim of preventing debt restructuring.

He once again proceeded to ascertain that our country will repay the loans taken from the EU under the temporary support mechanism.

Earlier, Mr. Papandreou had met with the chairman of the parliamentary group of the Social Democratic Party, as well as with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeir and the President of the Green Party, Cem Özdemir.