President Obama Speaks at the End of the G20 Summit

June 20, 2012
04:11 PM EDT

After two days of policy discussions and meetings with leaders from the world's major economies, President Obama held a press conference to discuss his takeaways from the G20 Summit.

The ongoing economic crisis in Europe was a central focus of the top-level conversations.

"[This] has been an opportunity for us to hear from European leaders on the progress they’re making and on their next steps -- especially in the wake of the election in Greece," he said. "It’s also been a chance for the international community, including the United States -- the largest economy in the world, and with our own record of responding to financial crises -- to stress the importance of decisive action at this moment."

The President stressed that it's important for Europeans to take ownership over the situation, and said that leaders from the continent understand the stakes and are ready to take the steps necessary to secure stability and growth.

But he also said that the United States could do more to bolster the global economy.

"As the world’s largest economy, the best thing the United States can do is to create jobs and growth in the short term, even as we continue to put our fiscal house in order over the long term," he said.

Read President Obama's full remarks, including his answers to reporters, here.

Or check out a photo gallery of images from the Summit.

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President Barack Obama is briefed by senior advisors on the eve of the G20 Summit, June 17, 2012

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President Barack Obama talks with President Felipe Calderón of Mexico, June 18, 2012. (All Official White House Photos)

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President Barack Obama talks with Chief of Staff Jack Lew, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama participates in a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, June 18, 2012.

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Capricia Marshall, Chief of Protocol of the United States, waits with White House Staff while President Barack Obama is in a meeting, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama walks with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama waves after greeting President Felipe Calderón of Mexico upon his arrival to the G8 Summit, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama and other leaders listen as President Felipe Calderón of Mexico delivers remarks, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama listens as President Felipe Calderón of Mexico delivers remarks, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama participates in the G20 Summit family photo, June 18, 2012.

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President Barack Obama talks with President Manmohan Singh of India, June 18, 2012.

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The President talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Mike Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics.

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President Barack Obama participates in a Eurozone meeting, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama talks with leaders at the conclusion of a Eurozone meeting, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama is briefed by senior advisors before a bilateral meeting with President Hu Jintao of China, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama participates in a bilateral meeting with President Hu Jintao of China, June 19, 2012.

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Press Secretary Jay Carney works on his BlackBerry as President Barack Obama participates in a press conference, June 19, 2012.

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Lael Brainard, Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, listens backstage as the President participates in a press conference.

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President Barack Obama participates in a press conference, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama's motorcade travels from the Los Cabos Convention Center to the Los Cabos International Airport, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Los Cabos International Airport in Los Cabos, Mexico, June 19, 2012.

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President Barack Obama talks with staff aboard Air Force One as it departs Los Cabos International Airport in Los Cabos, Mexico, June 19, 2012.

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