Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho was in Athens on a day-long visit on September 9, and he met with PM Antonis Samaras and President Karolos Papoulias.

The two premiers discussed the crisis in Ukraine, the situation in Syria, the need for Europe to remain united and adopt policies of stability and security, and have a common strategy. Samaras said that Eurozone countries must coordinate efforts to boost growth, and that there was absolute agreement of views with Coelho on the need for greater consensus within Europe.

At a joint press conference, Samaras said that Greece lags in competitiveness and has a high debt. “We managed to have primary surpluses, exit successfully to the markets, put an end to the rise of the debt and enter recovery," he noted, adding that this recovery should be visible in the current year. "Also, we improved our position in competitiveness and hope to perform even better. We want to get on the top places of competitiveness internationally. Soon, we will certify the sustainability of the debt without the need for new memoranda and new loans… We achieved all these gradually and firmly, with earnestness and confidence in [Greece's] place in Europe and the world," Samaras said.

Coelho, on his part, expressed his admiration for Greece’s progress and congratulated Samaras. He also expressed his solidarity with the Greek people.