European Union-Greece Deal Possible After Talks: Italian Prime Minister

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Tuesday he believes Greece will be able to strike a deal with its EU partners over its massive debts.

"I believe the conditions exist to find an accord with the European institutions," Mr Renzi said at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras following talks in Rome.

Mr Renzi also assured Greece's leader of "the greatest possible support, both in terms of bilateral cooperation and in availability for dialogue".

The Italian leader added: "We all have to read the result of the Greek elections as a message of hope that comes from an entire generation that is demanding more attention and interest in those who have suffered from the crisis.

"The world is calling on Europe to invest in growth, not austerity," he added before joking that the election of Mr Tsipras had been a blessing for him personally.

"Now I will no longer be considered the dangerous lefty (by Brussels)," he said.

The press conference also finished on a light-hearted note with Mr Renzi presenting Mr Tsipras with an Italian tie.

Mr Tsipras - whose fondness for open-necked shirts has been interpreted as a badge of his anti-establishment beliefs - responded by revealing: "I promised I will wear it when we will finally find a viable solution."