PARIS (MNI) - France's Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and her Swedish counterpart Anders Borg discussed the fiscal situation in Greece in a bilateral meeting Tuesday and expressed confidence in Athens' capacity to deliver on its deficit-cutting commitments.

Lagarde declined to respond to reporters' questions concerning European support for the debt-ridden country, insisting instead on Greece's pledge to consolidate its public finances.

"We all have the confidence that Greece will deliver under the program," she said, noting that after its public declarations the Greek government is now working with parliament to implement its Stability Program. "We are watching the program very carefully."

Lagarde said that France as well is "determined" to reduce its deficit within its three-pillar economic policy of economic recovery, structural reform and fiscal consolidation.

She hailed the recovery of the U.S. dollar as a boon to European competitiveness: "We always said we wanted a strong dollar. The dollar has appreciated in the last few days. European exporters can only be pleased about it."

Borg underscored the need for close cooperation with France to construct a stronger Europe. "Stronger economic and political cooperation in Europe, I think, is a cornerstone if we want to have European growth," he said.