by Associated Press Portugal: too soon to decide on early IMF pay back Associated Press - 9 September 2014 11:12-04:00 ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Portugal's prime minister says he supports Ireland's bid for an early pay back of bailout loans to the International Monetary Fund, but added his country could only take a similar initiative if market conditions further improved. Pedro Passos Coelho, visiting Greece Tuesday, said it was "rational" for Ireland to seek early repayment of its IMF loans as it could now borrow money at better rates on the bond markets. Portugal earlier this year became the second eurozone member to complete its international bailout program after Ireland — leaving Greece and Cyprus. Coelho held talks in Athens with conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, and expressed support for Greece's cost-cutting reforms taken during a six-year recession. News Topics: Business, General news, Development banking, Banking and credit, Financial services, Industries People, Places and Companies: Pedro Passos Coelho, Antonis Samaras, Greece, Athens, Portugal, Ireland, Western Europe, Europe Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.