Brussels, 07/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Joseph Daul, leader of the European People's Party (EPP) at the European Parliament, spoke warmly on Thursday 7 March 2013 of the “positive and encouraging signs” in Athens that show that Greece is on the right track for recovery. In a press release, he said the Greek economy was becoming more competitive and can rely more upon external demand, but it was crucial to continue the good work and persevere on the road to reform.
Antonis Samaras, the Greek prime minister, said that, despite positive developments paving the way for a “success story”, recovery of the country's economy remains fragile. He said that progress has been made in cutting the public deficit, brought down from 10.7% of GDP in 2010 to 4.6% in 2013 according to the European Commission's latest economic forecasts (see EUROPE 10792) and pledged to continue with the reforms, particularly privatisation. In December, the country's troika of lenders (European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) said that not enough has been done in this domain.
Tough talks. Representatives of the country's lenders are currently in Athens to examine progress in implementing the Greek structural adjustment programme. Much is at stake. It is the conclusions of this troika fact-finding mission that will determine whether or not the next batch of aid will be paid out. According to SKAI TV, the troika is refusing to budge on the question of civil service redundancies and is threatening to free further aid payments if the job losses do not go ahead. A meeting between the troika and the Greek prime minister, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed until next week. Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras says much ground remains to be covered in the talks with the country's lenders. (EL/transl.fl)