A spokesman for Bavarian state premier Horst Seehofer confirmed a report in the Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that Samaras had expressed interest in a visit and said the German state leader “welcomed” the request.

“But there have been no agreements or plans made yet,” the spokesman added.

While relations between Greece and European paymaster Germany plunged to new lows during the eurozone crisis, some of the fiercest language came from Bavarian politicians, with several calling for Athens to leave the eurozone.

But Seehofer appeared to soften his tone at a meeting this weekend of his CSU party, which governs Bavaria, saying that if a report by international lenders suggested giving Greece more time for reforms “then we will talk about that.”

The question of Greece leaving the 17-nation eurozone “is not an issue” for the moment, Seehofer added.

Samaras made his first visit abroad as prime minister to Berlin, on August 24.

And on October 9, German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Athens for the first time since the three-year crisis began there.

Her trip was marked by sometimes violent protests as many Greeks see her as the driver of EU-led demands for reforms that have propelled the country into recession.

After talks with Samaras, Merkel said that the “tough path” of painful austerity measures would pay off and stressed there would soon be “light at the end of the tunnel.”

She also emphasised that she wanted Greece to remain in the eurozone.