国际英语新闻:Greece expects French President with high hopes on debt relief

ATHENS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande was due here on Thursday afternoon for a two-day visit which has been welcomed by the Greeks as a new sign of support for the country's efforts to reform and exit the six-year debt crisis.

"I am coming to Greece to express France's support, but also to send a message, particularly to French companies: come and invest in Greece," Hollande said in an interview with local newspaper "Kathimerini" (Daily) ahead of the visit.

The French head of state had sent the same message of support to Greek economy during his last visit to Greece in February 2013.

On top of the agenda of discussions with Greece's political leadership this time will be Athens' request for an immediate debt relief and investment opportunities, according to Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassilis.

The French President who heads a delegation of ministers and businessmen was expected to co-sign with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday a declaration to boost bilateral cooperation in trade, new technologies, tourism, agriculture, education and culture.

For Gerovassilis it will be a visit of "high political symbolism" and will "confirm the special relationship formed during difficult moments in negotiations between Greece and its creditors" in recent months.

According to government sources and political analysts in Athens in particular after Hollande's stance in the negotiations that led to the third bailout this summer to avert a Greek default and Grexit, Greece sees the French head of state and France as a significant ally in the forthcoming talks for debt relief.

The dialogue on debt relief has been agreed with creditors to start before the end of this year once the first review of the Greek program concludes.

Envoys of lenders arrived in Athens earlier this week for a first informal assessment.

Greek authorities have taken heavy security measures with about 2,500 police officers deployed across Athens during the visit.