Despite the deep reforms we are making, traders and speculators have forced interest rates on Greek bonds to record highs.

I would say we are a friend in need and I am sure that the Greek people would very much welcome the choice of the British people to come and enjoy Greece, first of all, but also that would be a sign of support.

We in Europe have great capacities.

The real problem in Greece is not cutting taxes, it's making sure that we don't have tax evasion.

When I was growing up in the United States and Sweden, I never thought about becoming a politician.

If we were going to default, we would have decided that many months ago. It would be wrong for the Greek economy, it would be wrong for the European economy, it would make things worse in the end. That's why we're taking the pain and making these structural reforms, and we're on target.

The Marshall Plan was after destruction, and the U.S. came to our help and obviously this was very, very important for the future of Europe. I think now we have all the capabilities of doing it on our own and, in a sense, we have to.