US President Barack Obama praised Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Thursday for the steps he has taken to contain the European debt crisis, DPA reported.
Following a White House meeting, Obama said that Monti's efforts have "boosted confidence," both in Italy and in Europe, that the new Italian government "has a plan that takes seriously its fiscal responsibilities but also emphasizes the need for structural reforms that can promote growth."
Monti said that European leaders "need to step up our joint actions" toward financial security in the eurozone.
Obama and Monti reviewed Italian efforts in Afghanistan and Libya and discussed the unrest in Syria and sanctions aimed at Iran's nuclear programme.