German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday voiced hope that Greece would overcome its challenges and remain in the eurozone, during her first visit to Athens since the start of the debt crisis which has cast a dark shadow over Europe since 2008.

Amid strict security measures and mass demonstrations against austerity, Merkel pledged Germany and the EU's support for Greece as long as the debt-crippled country continued on its challenging path of fiscal adjustment and reform.

"Significant progress has been achieved. I hope and wish that Greece will remain part of the euro," she said after talks with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. She repeatedly stressing in meetings with Greek political leadership that Germany was a good friend of the country and would do whatever possible to support Greece.