ΦΙΛΙΑ

Greek Prime Minister Meets with his Irish Counterpart in Athens

on 24 May 2013 ΦΙΛΙΑ

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, after his meeting Thursday, at the Maximos Mansion with his Irish counterpart Enda Kenny said that Greece will follow Ireland’s successful example in exercising EU rotating presidency and exiting the financial crisis

Their talks centered on policies to boost growth, reduction of unemployment through the creation of job posts, banking system union and measures to combat tax evasion in the aftermath of EU Summit meeting on Wednesday, in Brussels.

Mr. Samaras said that Greece and Ireland have given a battle together in the EU for a policy to combine fiscal and economic recovery measures and achieved huge changes.

On his part, Enda Kenny expressed his country’s solidarity to Greek people’s efforts and underlined that a bailout country should negotiate to achieve changes but it should also meet its commitments.

Recovery in 2014 Says Greek FinMin Y. Stournaras

on 24 May 2013 ΦΙΛΙΑ

Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras, in his speech Thursday at Bank of Greece conference, described fiscal adjustment with parallel economic recovery as the biggest challenge Greece was facing at present. Mr. Stournaras referred in detail to the terms Greece should meet and the moves that the EU should make. He also appeared optimistic about a further debt relief provided that we achieve primary surplus.

“This is the key of our success”, said Mr. Stournaras, adding that Greek economy is clearly entering into a new stage. The program is in the right path, while we expect recovery in 2014 with positive growth index in each quarter.

ECB Chief Says Eurozone More Stable

on 24 May 2013 ΦΙΛΙΑ

European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said Thursday that the Eurozone was more stable than a year ago, stressing though that economic conditions remained challenging and governments should push on with reforms and banking union plans,.

Speaking in London almost a year after he vowed to do “whatever it takes” to save the euro, Draghi said European countries should strengthen their ties and flesh out plans made last June for closer integration, including a banking union. This would involve them sacrificing some national sovereignty on budget and structural policies.

Troika Arrives in Athens on June, 4

on 24 May 2013 ΦΙΛΙΑ

From Washington, International Monetary Fund spokesman Jerry Rice announced Thursday that the so called troika technical delegation arrives in Athens on June, 4. In response to a relevant question, Mr. Rice said that Poul Thomsen remains chief of Greek delegation .

Mr. Rice also said that IMF administration board meets on May, 31 to discuss the recent IMF report drawn in Athens and it is expected to approve Greek tranche worth 1.8 billion euros .