US President Barack Obama felt "encouraged" by Europe's plans to move out of its economic crisis after talks on Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the White House said.
"The president was encouraged by what he heard regarding ongoing discussions in Europe about the path they are pursuing to address the crisis," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at the G20 summit in Mexico.
"The two leaders agreed to work closely together, including at this G20, to build support for what needs to be done in Europe and the world to stabilize the situation and support growth and jobs," Carney said.
Carney said that Merkel and Obama also spoke briefly about the bloodshed in Syria during the 45-minute one-on-one meeting in the beach resort of Los Cabos.
Merkel, leading Europe's largest economy, has emphasized financial responsibility amid a debt crisis in Greece and woes elsewhere in the continent.
Obama, along with France's new President Francois Hollande, have put a focus on growth.
Lael Brainard, the Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, told reporters: "We're seeing a noticeable shift in the European discussion regarding the critical importance of supporting demand and job growth."