Brussels, 04/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Greece is on the last kilometre of the marathon and even though “the marathon gets tougher, we have to stay on top” of the reforms, said Greek Prime Minster Antonis Samaras in Brussels on Wednesday 4 December at a joint press conference with the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
Despite the lengthy negotiations with the troika of lenders (European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund), Samaras and Barroso refused to say that the talks were in deadlock. Barroso said he was confident that a solution would be found soon to allow the current mission (which began in September) to be concluded. Samaras said that the outstanding issues could be settled before the end of year, hence before Greece takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. Barroso recognised that it might take some time for the troika itself to coordinate with the various institutions, including the IMF.
“The proposals we're making are for the good of Greece”, said Barroso, whose institution is being attacked for the measures it recommends. He welcomed the impressive progress made in Greece, noting that “hard work pays off”. He said it might take some time before people on the ground felt the difference when the figures pick up. Barroso said the economic situation was fragile, but the efforts must be kept up, even on the final lap. “There's no other way out”, said Barroso. Samaras said that “reform fatigue” can be avoided and there was good hope that Greeks would demonstrate the required “courage and resilience”although the marathon gets tougher at the end. He mentioned the report published by the Lisbon Council on Tuesday, entitled Euro Plus Monitor, which puts Greece top of the ranking of countries when it comes to reform and budget adjustment, but said there was still a long way to go and “we have to stay on top” of the reforms. (EL/transl.fl)