Steinmeier in Athens on a two-day visit

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is on Thursday expected in Athens for a two-day visit.

Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with his Greek counterpart Evangelos Venizelos at 6.30 p.m. ahead of a joint press conference at 7 p.m.

In comments made to the press Wednesday, Steinmeier welcomed progress in Greece’s reform program.

Greece has a long way to go but Germany will continue to support Greece, the German minister told Der Spiegel.

Greece on Wednesday took over the presidency of the European Union. Greek officials chose the moment to deliver a staunch defense of the nation’s efforts to recover from six years of recession and two bailouts that have cost it more than 200 billion euros.