Samaras, Schulz: Greece entering EU presidency with good signs

The meetings were held ahead of the revolving six-month EU presidency that Greece is assuming on January 1, 2014.

Greece aims to promote a less bureaucratic Europe and a more growth-oriented one, Samaras said of the EU presidency’s agenda, adding that “our aim is to complete the banking and fiscal union, bringing Europe closer to European

citizens and dealing with their problems – a Europe of solidarity, which means a balance between fiscal adjustment and growth.” He also stressed that “we must reject the separation between North and South,” referring to EU member-states.

“We are exiting the crisis and we are ready for the EU presidency,” the premier said, noting that the worst fears by others were proven false.

“We proved that in such a difficult time for all, Europe works, and the hopeful message is a primary surplus after six years of recession…Europe can overcome its problems. Greece today is still part of the eurozone and meets its targets – occasionally it is ahead of them,” Samaras said, adding that within the six months of the presidency Greece would have visible signs of economic revival and a reduction of unemployment. This would be noted in April 2014, when the Eurogroup takes a sounding of the primary surplus, he stressed.

The Greek premier added that the government was collaborating with the troika for an agreement on fiscal commitments within December “so that we assume the presidency without the burden of the final negotiation. I believe that there will be no problem in this process.”

Samaras said the government was fighting for growth in specific ways: through the EU infrastructural funds, funds from which were expected in the beginning of next year; funnelling liquidity to small and medium-sized entreprises, which would reduce unemployment; exports and investments, especially one he said was coming from a global group and “proved the markets gave a vote of confidence to Greece.”

European Parliament’s Schulz said that Greece was a full EU member-state. “In Europe we don’t have different category member-states,” he said, “Greece is an equal partner. I know that the Greek government is well prepared for the presidency.”

The issues they discussed at top level in the meetings earlier, he said, related to development, security, restructure, and immigration. “All these were discussed with the underlying aim of dealing with youth unemployment, and this is our priority,” Schulz said.

He pointed out that “we wish for Greece’s development to be put on track with the help of the troika, as so with the rest of Europe,” and added that “the fiscal stability that required great sacrifices is being completed with solidarity and will come to completion with the attraction of investments. Greece is now being graded with an A plus.”

“Greece will have a primary surplus in 2013 and then Europe will meet its promises. When Europe submits the data, we will spare no time to do so,” he said.

Source: AMNA