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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Obama: Discussed with Greek PM the steps his government will take to end crisis and boost economy; again said austerity only not a solution

Obama: Refers to extent of economic crisis on Greece and its effects on its people

Tsipras: Underlined the importance of bilateral ties with Turkey, but based only on mutual respect, without threats of war, violence; discussed viable solution for Cyprus, which is an EU state; discussed bi-communal talks for a Cyprus solution, which bring hope but also feature open issues; solution must benefit all people on Cyprus; withdrawal of Turkish troops necessary.

Tsipras: Discussed cooperation in refugee crisis, regional security amid an increasingly insecure region; Greece a foundation for stability, peace in the region, acting always within international law; a barrier to terrorism; a country that offered shelter to hundreds of thousands of refugees

Tsipras: Today we discussed several crucial issues: boosting bilateral cooperation, US investments in Greece; discussed energy projects / pipelines underway; Greece's human resources potential; Greek-American community

Tsipras: We'll continue to promote reforms that promote growth; what interest us more is for results to unburden weaker strata of society, particularly the younger generations; after seven years we cannot tolerate more austerity; debt relief, lower primary budget surplus targets after 2018 and inclusion in QE program is deserved by the country.

Tsipras: Greece, US acquiesced to debt relief for Germany in 1953, in post war period; Germany today, Europe's economic engine, should now do the same for Greece; problems exacerbated for Greece due to austerity, one-fourth of GDP lost

Tsipras: Greece returning slowly to normalcy; acknowledges moral and practical assistance by Washington to Greek government during difficult summer of 2015

Tsipras: Obama choose different path for America when economic crisis hit in 2008, compares with what he calls European leadership's insistence on austerity, which causes incalculable social and political problems.

Tsipras: Thanked Obama again for choosing Athens as one of his destinations on his last trip as US president; says two Obama terms changed America; refers to Bill Clinton visit in 1999 and latter’s acknowledgement of US mistakes vis-à-vis junta that ruled Greece between 1967-74.

Obama-Tsipras press conference begins

US President Barack Obama is accompanied in his closed-door meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras by US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, senior director for European affairs Charles Kupchan and the new US ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt.

A joint press conference will follow, with the itinerary stating that only four questions will be fielded.

Tsipras to Obama: Ready to discuss refugee problem, Greek debt and Cyprus with US president

Obama: Along with Greece, Turkey and other intereted parties, hope to encourage a solution in Cyprus. Considers Greece an ally

Greek PM Tsipras tells Obama: We are faced with three parallel crises -- refugees, economy and security in the wider area

Obama: I want to again thank Greek people for welcoming us to the birthplace of democracy

Tsipras to Obama: Greece struggling to defend democracy, freedom and human rights. Despite adversity, country defended these values over the last five difficult years.

Greek prime minister's office, in a neo-classical 19th mansion, is separate by a side road from the presidential mansion, with a park separating the two official buildings from Parliament. The entire area has been closed to traffic and pedestrians.

Obama received at the Maximos Mansion by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

US President Barack Obama praised Greece for what he called the country's “humanitarian and compassionate manner” in dealing with the unprecedented, by post-war standards, Mideast war refugee issue. His comments came during his meeting with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Tuesday.

Obama began a two-day working visit Athens that is loaded with symbolism, given that it is his first to the country -- which dominated international headlines over the past few years -- and part of his last overseas tour as US president.

In reference to the landmark Lausanne Treaty, which finalized borders of the new Turkish state in 1923 and solved many of the Near East issues at the time, Pavlopoulos said this was 'inconceivable' and would undermine not just Greek borders but EU borders.

Obama reminds that Greece has faced numerous challenges over recent years, with the Greek people passing through difficult times. Refers to the start of a better period; says US will work to continue this course. More work to be done.