(VOVworld) - French President Francois Hollande has pledged to support Greece in modernizing its state and tax administration.

French President Francois Hollande and Greek PM Alexis Tsipras (Photo: Reuters/A.Konstatinidis)

French President Francois Hollande said during his visit to Athens on Friday after signing a strategic partnership with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to provide French management expertise.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Greece will fully meet its obligations regarding reforms while Hollande affirmed France will continue to stand by Greece and praised Greece's efforts on the course of reform.

Hollande also said he supported a Greek request to the European Union for a credit extension in 2016 to cope with the large influx of migrants. Since January, more than 500,000 people have arrived in Greece.

Hollande’s first visit to Greece since 2013 took place when Greece and international creditors had reached a deal on a bailout worth 96 billion USD to help Athen avoid bankruptcy.