Washington retooled its message to Athens this week through the US ambassador Greece, following his contacts with the new leftist government and its leadership.

“The United States believes that it is very important that the Greek Government works with its European partners and the IMF,” was Amb. David Pierce’s statement.

A few days after Barack Obama’s “pat on the shoulder”, Pierce stressed that Washington believes that Athens should continue its public sector and structural reforms and keep exercising a prudent fiscal policy.

At the same time, the US Ambassador expressed a view that Greece must continue reforms in order to make the country more attractive for foreign investments, in order to meet its international obligations and to return to prosperity.