A senior European official says Portugal's compliance with the terms of its 78 billion euro ($101 billion) bailout has earned it the goodwill of its international creditors who remain committed to nursing the ailing eurozone country back to health. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister who also chairs the meetings of finance ministers from the 17 European Union countries using the euro, said Monday that Portugal's eurozone partners would consider a further easing of its deficit targets if it proves necessary. Dijsselbloem met with Portuguese political leaders during a trip to Lisbon, including Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar who said debt-reducing austerity measures have been "very costly." Unemployment has climbed to 17.7 percent amid a steep recession, and Portugal has struggled to meet deficit goals stipulated as part of the bailout.
