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Merkel, Hollande cite need for rapid evaluation of Greek program; refugee crisis also discussed with Tsipras

By Nikos Bellos

The need for an immediate completion of the first evaluation of the Greek problem was highlighted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, during a meeting between the three in Brussels on Friday.

According to Greek sources, the slightly more than one-hour meeting also touched on the refugee crisis that has overwhelmed the eastern Mediterranean country, which has also sent waves of Mideast asylum seekers and irregular migrants towards central and western Europe.

In terms of Athens’ economic prospects, both the German and French leaders reportedly promised to take actions for the timely completion of the first evaluation.

Moreover, Merkel and Hollande also assured Tsipras, sources said, that no “unilateral move” will be taken by an EU member-state before a meeting between EU leadership and Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu on March 6, i.e. closing off borders. They also reportedly assured the Greek premier that Athens will receive the assistance it requests in dealing with the refugee crisis.

The three leaders met on the sidelines of an EU summit in the Belgian capital.