France's Hollande calls for debt restructuring for Greece

Speaking at a press conference after meeting his Greek counterpart Prokopis Pavlopoulos in Athens Hollande said: "The EU showedsolidarity by signing a €86 billion ($95.5 billion)bailoutprogram with theGreek government but more effort is needed."

Hollande has repeatedly called for the deferral of interest rate payments on Greece's debt which now amounts to 200 percent of GDP.

In his remarks in the Greek capital where he paid a two-day visit the French president touched upon the Syrianrefugeeissue and the need tofinda political solution for the crisis.

"More than 4 million fled Syria and many are arriving in Europe so there must be a political solution; in addition we must fight Daesh terrorism" Hollande said.

Greek presidentPavlopoulos for his part said theausterity measuresto fight the financial crisis in the country proved unsuccessful andled to a humanitarian crisis in Greece.

Pavlopoulos also called for debt restructuring."We will fulfill our responsibilities but our partners should do what isnecessaryso that public debt can become sustainable" he said.

"The debt is not sustainable today. This debt should be made sustainable with a restructuring worked out with theEU and the FinancialStability Mechanism"Pavlopoulos added.