Obama: Congratulates Greece as one of only five NATO members spending above 2 percent of GDP for defense

Obama: Looking forward tomorrow (Wednesday) to addressing Greek people; Greece one of our oldest allies

Obama: Again praises Greek people, especially islanders, for humanitarian assistance to refugees, migrants; problem is international, not a Greek problem; cited agreement between Union and Turkey; discussed prospects for solution on Cyprus; no guarantee of success, encourage all sides to work for bizonal, bicommunal solution; believe it is possible

Obama: fields a question by the Greek state television about Greek debt relief and if reforms can proceed without such relief, where he answers that one lesson from his administration's efforts on the economic front is to combine fiscal policy with growth policy. Said the dollar was an advantage for the United States, world most widely traded currency, refers to flexibility in economic policy; emerged quicker from crisis; when economy struggling it's important to get people back to work and to stimulate economy; believe path Greece is currently on is correct; Greek people must understand that in globalized economy reforms necessary.

Obama: Debt relief a political issue; important to recognize that northern European countries have their own voters

Obama: Both sides should find a doable solution (on debt issue); good for everyone

Obama: No two countries are identical; difference between Brexit referendum and US election result

Tsipras: Asked if Obama can persuade German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the need for debt relief; says he will insist on agreement of last May which referred to Greek debt relief

Obama: Asked how he would persuade Turkish president to abandon Cyprus occupation amid ongoing talks; reminds that it's a negotiation between the two peoples on Cyprus; if meeting of the minds between them, then international community can support any agreement, and then ratified

Tsipras: Optimistic over debt relief; got cooperation with Merkel, said he believes she has responsible stance on Europe as a whole, similar to refugee crisis; solution would make Greece part of the solution, not the problem

Obama: Had to deal with one nation, not 28, although dealing with Congress isn't easy, he answers when asked about his administration's economic policy

Obama: We'll do whatever we can to support talks for Cyprus solution

Obama: Difficult to create jobs, lower debt when economy contracting; we started growing, increasing tax revenue

Tsipras: Cyprus not a bilateral problem, not a Greek-Turkish problem, it's a problem of illegal occupation of northern Cyprus

Tsipras: Greece encourages the prospect for a Cyprus solution, ready to discuss with Turkey only the issue of guarantees, an anachronistic regime, but Greece isn't an occupying power; solution is one without Turkish occupation troops on the island

Obama: President asked if he feels responsible for Donald Trump's statements, says no, again expresses surprise over latter's election

Obama: Shouldn't draw parallels with US election, Trump and European leaders, such as British PM May or Marine LePen in France

Obama: People often looking for change, unsure of what change they want; says "healthy majority" of US people agree with his world view; people may wanted to try something different, shake things up (Trump election)

Obama: Humanity will progress by what we have in common, not what divides us

Tsipras: Not my responsibility to persuade President Erdogan, regarding Cyprus

Obama: my vision is right on that issue; confident that in the long term will succeed

Tsipras: Not too familiar with Donald Trump; some advised me to read his "Art of the Deal" when heading into negotiations; expects differences between Trump before election; trump during campaign and Trump as president; didn't criticize him during campaign; doesn't think one person can change US policy; Europe must now build bridges, not erect walls with Washington.

Tsipras: I don't think much will change in US-Greece, US-EU relations, those based on common values

Barack Obama’s “swan song” as the US president came with encouraging words to crisis-plagued Greece on Tuesday, where he offered support for debt relief, praise for painful reforms over the years and a much greater insight into the timely Cyprus problem, which has essentially been off Washington’s agenda since 2004.

US President Barack Obama was attending an official dinner in his honor on Tuesday evening at Athens’ presidential mansion, hours after concluding meetings with the country’s president and prime minister.