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Obama Begins Final Foreign Trip in Greece

by VOA News

   President Barack Obama will stress economic issues as he meets with
   Greek leaders Tuesday on the first leg of the final planned foreign
   trip of his presidency.

   White House officials expect Obama and Greek Prime Minister Alexis
   Tsipras to talk about the need for continued economic reforms,
   including transparency and cleaning up the country's financial sector,
   while also acknowledging sacrifices the Greek people have made in order
   to comply with international bailout agreements.

   Obama and Tsipras are scheduled to hold a joint news conference after
   their meeting. Obama will also hold talks with Greek President Prokopis
   Pavlopoulos and attend a state dinner.

   U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said he expected
   President-elect Donald Trump to be a big topic of conversation
   throughout Obama's trip, which also includes stops in Germany and Peru.

   The only major planned speech on the president's itinerary is Wednesday
   in Greece, where he is expected to address work that remains to tackle
   economic challenges there and elsewhere in the world while promoting
   inclusive growth and combating inequality.

   On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host Obama for a
   meeting. Rhodes highlighted the importance of their relationship,
   calling Merkel "the president's closest partner over the course of his
   entire presidency."

   The leaders of Britain, France, Italy and Spain will also be in Berlin
   for meetings Friday that are expected to include the ongoing fight
   against Islamic State, issues related to migration, the situation in
   Ukraine, and last week's U.S. election.

   The final leg in Peru is focused on the Asia-Pacific Economic
   Cooperation summit. But Obama also plans to meet with Chinese President
   Xi Jinping and hold separate talks with leaders of nations involved
   with the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.