Former French president hails Greece's progress

Francois Hollande, the former president of France, on Friday hailed Greece's progress in overcoming difficult obstacles.

"You managed to ensure that Greece achieved good results," Hollande said during a visit to Maximos Mansion in Athens.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, for his part, welcomed Hollande as "a true friend of Greece."

"In Greece we have a saying that you gain a friend at tough times. You were a true friend in a time of need," he added of Hollande, whose efforts were instrumental in keeping Greece in the eurozone.

Greece is no longer a problem for Europe, Hollande indicated, saying that the bloc's future is now the issue.