Greece must keep its promises on debt repayments: Hollande

Paris, Jan 26: French President Francois Hollande said today that Greece must keep its promises on debt repayments, following the Greek anti-austerity Syriza party's stunning election win.

"Commitments have been made and they must be honoured," Hollande said at a press conference in Paris, a day after Syriza's win put the heavily indebted country on a collision course with its international creditors. The French leader has invited newly elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to visit Paris as soon as possible, the president's office said earlier today.

Hollande expressed his desire to help "Greece return to stability and growth," the Elysee Palace said in a statement, adding that France would "stand by Greece during this important period for its future." Tsipras has called for his country's massive EU-IMF bailout to be renegotiated, renewing fears that Greece could be forced out of the eurozone if it defaults on its debt repayments.

AFP