Greece is the only European state with primary surplus, Commissioner Hahn says

He acknowledged the efforts that are being made, particularly in the absorption of funds, noting however, that landfill rehabilitation projects will have to be concluded by 2015.

Commissioner Hahn noted that projects will have to meet the main principles set in order to be included in European programmes. He added that those that will be promoted are private investments

in the sectors of tourism and mining, underlining that “Greece will be stronger than other European countries when the crisis is over”.

Commenting on the primary surplus achieved, he said that “Greece is the only European state with a primary surplus in recent years,” adding that efforts on national level will have to continue.

The Commissioner also referred to the environmental problems in the industrial region of Iinofita-Schimatari, related with the Asopos River, noting that they should be resolved.

On his part, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, who also addressed the meeting, referred to the government efforts focusing on fund absorption, noting that “more investments were made in the past 18 months than in the last three-and-a-half years”.

Referring to the new programming period, he said that the goal is economic recovery and economic growth based on competitiveness, extroversion and investments.

As regards the country’s overall economic situation, he noted that the preconditions have been created to end the prolonged recession in 2014, underlining the unprecedented sacrifices made by the Greek society.

Staikouras characterized the structural funds as “basic policy tool leading to the economy’s reset and recovery while boosting liquidity.”

source: ΑΜΝΑ