Greece and Europe will overcome their economic problems, but time is needed, Greek President Karolos Papoulias said ahead of Greece's critical general elections on Sunday.
"Greece is going through a difficult period. It is a period of economic crisis that is not only a Greek phenomenon, but a European phenomenon," Papoulias said in an interview with Xinhua at the Presidential Mansion in central Athens.
"Southern Europe is struggling, and not only Southern Europe, but Europe in general is struggling to overcome its structural problems," Papoulias said. However, he also expressed confidence in the future of Greece and Europe as a whole.
"I believe that Europe is a major power which will overcome its problems. Time is needed. And I believe that the Greek economy -- I am certain that will take some time -- will overcome its own problems," he said.
Debt-laden Greece heads to a second round of national elections on Sunday which, analysts said, could determine the country's economic future and whether it will remain in the euro zone.
The first polls on May 6 gave no party a parliamentary majority. Marathon consultations between parties' leaders on the formation of a coalition or unity government collapsed due to divergence on the bailout plan.
Papoulias said he had great hopes for the forthcoming elections.
"I wish, and I believe that the forthcoming elections will result in the formation of a government which will work so that in a few years, we will be able again to return to the markets and innovation, as the Greek people wish, and lift the anxiety of poverty and misery from the Greek people," he said.
Greece is struggling to ease its economic problems, backed by two bailout loans from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund. The country has adopted austerity measures to counter the debt crisis that is burdening the Greek people./.