08:10

Meanwhile in Greece, the visiting French President, Emmanuel Macron, has been chairing a meeting of Greek and French entrepreneurs.

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (right) hold a discussion with French and Greek business leaders in Athens

On the second day of his two-day official trip to Athens, the focus has turned firmly to investment. Macron, who is accompanied by 40 prominent business leaders representing companies big and small, told the select gathering of bankers and industry titans that with Greece finally emerging from economic crisis, France would lead fresh efforts to invest in the country.

“France will assume the responsibility in that effort [to attract foreign investment]”, he said, adding it was vital that European investors did business with EU member states such as Greece rather than “the Chinese, Americans and Koreans.” French investors, long in the country, should “give new energy, new dynamism to investments in Greece. We are calling on the Europeans to invest in Greece.”

A former economy minister, Macron has used the visit to applaud Greek reforms under prime minister Alexis Tsipras. He has stressed that, like the leftist leader, he believes Greece is on the road to recovery and growth after seven years of recession. “The Greek economy is turning the page after seven years of crisis,” said Tsipras who also attended the meeting.