U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, completes a tour of the Temple of Hephaestus in at the Agora in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry is in Greece to hold bilateral meetings to discuss the migration and refugee crisis. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - The U.S. Secretary of State says he expects Greece's government will keep on track with reforms needed to revive its crisis-battered economy, and has offered Washington's support in the task.
John Kerry says Greece will have to make further efforts in coming months, following the sacrifices of the past six years since the country's debt crisis erupted.
But he voiced confidence that Athens will keep up with what needs to be done to restore competitiveness, improve market confidence and attract investment. Kerry spoke after talks with Greek officials in Athens Friday.
Greece has received three multi-billion euro international bailouts since it nearly went bankrupt in 2010.
To secure the loans, it imposed tough spending cuts, tax hikes and reforms that slashed disposable incomes, amid a deep recession and record unemployment.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry , left, reacts with Jennifer Ngwere , while showing Kerry how to prepare welcome kits for refugee children at the Melissa Network a program for migrant women, in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry will hold bilateral meetings to discuss the migration and refugee crisis. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, right, and US Secretary of State John Kerry laugh during their meeting in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry will hold bilateral meetings to discuss the migration and refugee crisis. (Orestis Panagiotou/Pool photo via AP)
The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias arrive for a meeting in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry will hold bilateral meetings to discuss the migration and refugee crisis. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, arrives with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias for a news conference in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry will hold bilateral meetings to discuss the migration and refugee crisis. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a news conference in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry says the U.S. has never had any doubts that Iran conducted work on nuclear weapons. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a news conference in Athens, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Kerry says the U.S. has never had any doubts that Iran conducted work on nuclear weapons. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press