Obama hails progress on euro crisis

(CAMP DAVID) - US President Barack Obama hailed progress made in tackling Europe's economic crisis at the end of a G8 summit on Saturday, noting leaders' agreement that growth and jobs must be the priority.

"As all of the leaders here today agree, growth and jobs must be our top priority," Obama said.

His comments capped a sometimes fractious Camp David summit, marked by competing visions about how best to end Europe's roiling fiscal and economic woes.

Eyeing market turmoil that has been prompted by Greece's possible exit from the eurozone, Obama stuck a positive tone.

"The direction the debate has taken recently should give us confidence that Europe is taking significant steps to manage the crisis," he said.

"Individual countries and the European Union as a whole have engaged in significant reforms that will increase the prospects of long-term growth."

Obama pointed to upcoming EU and G20 summits as the source of further progress on what he dubbed a "consensus for progress."