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Greek finance minister in London to seek support for debt renegotiation deal

Associated Press
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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, left, speaks to the media as Cyprus' president Nicos Anastasiades listens during a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in the capital Nicosia, Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Tsipras is visiting Cyprus, his first trip abroad as prime minister since his election last month. It's customary for all newly-elected Greek prime ministers to conduct their first trip abroad to Cyprus because of the two countries' deep historic ties. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks to the media during a press conference after meeting with Cyprus' president Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace in the capital Nicosia, Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Tsipras is visiting Cyprus, his first trip abroad as prime minister since his election last month. It's customary for all newly-elected Greek prime ministers to conduct their first trip abroad to Cyprus because of the two countries' deep historic ties. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) (The Associated Press)

British Finance Minister George Osborne, right, and Greece's new finance minister Yanis Varoufakis speak during their meeting at 11 Downing Street in London, Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. France's Socialist government offered support Sunday for Greece's efforts to renegotiate debt for its huge bailout plan, amid renewed fears about Europe's economic stability. The backing was a victory for Varoufakis, striking a more conciliatory tone as he seeks new conditions on debt from creditors who rescued Greece's economy to save the shared euro currency. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Greece's finance minister is continuing his tour of European capitals with a visit to London, after receiving backing from France for efforts to ease the terms of a 240 billion-euro ($270 billion) bailout.

Though Britain is not part of the euro, Yanis Varoufakis wants to build rapport with U.K. Treasury chief George Osborne with face-to-face talks.

Osborne said Monday he welcomes the opportunity for talks with Varoufakis to discuss "the stability of the European economy and how to boost its growth."

Varoufakis took office last week after the radical left Syriza party won parliamentary elections, alarming investors and eurozone governments. Party leader and new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said he wants to end years of austerity and renegotiate Greece's debts.