Brussels, 01/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will discuss Greece's stability programme on Wednesday 3 February (for 2010-2013) and the follow-up to excessive deficit procedures (EUROPE 10067). Commissioner Almunia's spokesperson said that the plan for rectifying the country's budget was realistic but required “additional measures”. The country agreed to return below the 3% threshold by 2012 and informed the press on Monday 1 February that implementation of the ambitious Greek programme would be subject to enhanced monitoring. Joaquín Almunia's spokeswoman underlined that “we see risks around the achievement of these targets, as the Greek authorities do, but the objectives are achievable. In the recommendation the Commission will be adopting on Wednesday, we are creating a process of monitoring the implementation of the programme. This includes the need to adopt additional measures in case some of those risks materialise”.
Reuters was informed by the commissioner for economic and monetary affairs that “every time we see slippages, because some risks materialise, we will ask for additional measures to correct these slippages. We take note that the Greek authorities in the stability programme stand ready to immediately adopt additional measures if, in our monitoring process, we ask them for it”. An initial evaluation of Greek programme implementation will take place in March. (A.B./transl.fl)