Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has said he hopes the markets will respond positively to Ireland's attempts to deal with its financial situation so the Government does not have to avail of the IMF-EU bailout mechanism.
He also stressed the need for greater solidarity within Europe on the economic crisis, because what happened in one country had an impact throughout the EU and beyond, he said.
Mr Papandreou, whose own country is currently in receipt of €110bn of EU-IMF rescue funding, was addressing a meeting of international broadcasters in Athens on the Greek economic crisis.
He was asked about the difficulties facing other countries such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal.
The prime minister said he believed the Irish economy was basically sound but was being subjected to bond attacks.
At least, he said, the rescue mechanism was there should Ireland or other countries need to avail of it.
