Vestager praises for economic recovery and dealing with the pandemic

LAST UPDATE: 13.40

By Tasos Dasopoulos

“It is an inspiration not only for Greece, but also for Europe and the eurozone, what Greece has achieved”, stressed among others the Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margaret Vestager, after today’s meeting with the Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras.

Ms. Vestager spoke about the successful completion of the assessments of the Greek economy and the completion of the enhanced supervision and the recovery of the economy after the pandemic “Today we must recognize these results of the Greek economy” .

“Perhaps we forget how painful this whole process was, the sacrifice of so many people for Greece to achieve this strong economic position. But I think that this sacrifice should be recognized by all of us,” said the Danish vice-president. “Now, in a course of sustainable development and the increase of employment for young people and women, it is an inspiration not only for Greece but also for the EU and the Eurozone, an inspiration for what has been achieved in Greece.

The Vice President of the Commission praised the Greek authorities for dealing with the pandemic not only for the amount of support measures but also for the support programs for households and businesses.

He also stressed the progress of the digitalization of the public sector that allows the citizens to be directly supported through the fuel pass but also the other digital ones that have been implemented, which shows – as he said – significant improvements for the Greek economy.

Finance Minister Christos Staikouras called for joint European action to tackle the energy crisis.

“No European Member State alone can deal effectively with this new crisis,” he said.

“European, drastic and decisive political solutions are needed.

Solutions for the present and the future of Europe, which will incorporate the lessons of old and new experiences “.

He stressed, however, that in the present the Greek Government will continue to support, with realism, households and businesses, while ensuring the stability of public finances.

“We also continue, at an intensive pace, the implementation of structural changes and reforms, including addressing, in the best possible way, chronic problems of public companies, such as LARCO, Skaramaga and Elefsina Shipyards, while ELVO, ELVO, d and special emphasis in the areas of green and digital transition “concluded the Minister of Finance.

As the minister said, “the Greek economy has shown remarkable resilience and strong dynamics, confirming the European Commission’s estimates that rank it, in the short and medium term, the fastest growing economies in the eurozone. With intensive and methodical work we have at the forefront of the economy, closing painful chapters of the past and opening a new, more promising page in the future, as reflected in the historic decision of the Eurogroup in Luxembourg Greece is no longer an exception in the eurozone, as reflected in the 12 upgrades to the creditworthiness of the Greek economy in the last 3 years, which bring it just a “step” before the investment level. of the last great This four-year target, which has been set for 2023 and is expected to be achieved “.

He made an extensive report on the course of the economy to date and the next steps, noting that:

– GDP will continue to grow at a high rate, amounting to 7% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2022, significantly higher than the European average, climbing to a decade high, in terms of volume. At the same time, the composition of GDP is improving, as much of this growth is based on significant boosting investment and exports. In the same direction, the European Commission predicts that the Greek economy will grow strongly and sustainably in both 2022 and 2023, with Greece “champion” in Europe for the next two years in investment and exports.

– In addition, the significant decline in unemployment continues, especially among young people and women, public debt is declining significantly and the fiscal balance is gradually being restored.

– The above are the fruit and at the same time the culmination of the responsible, reformist and dynamic economic policy implemented by the government, with the main pillars being fiscal responsibility, reformist consistency and development orientation. In this context, we continue in the current -very difficult- situation, to support, with realism, households and businesses, while ensuring the stability of public finances.

– We also continue, at an intensive pace, the implementation of structural changes and reforms, including the treatment, in the best possible way, of chronic problems of public companies, such as LARCO, Skaramaga and Elefsina Shipyards, ELVO, While we also place special emphasis on the areas of green and digital transition.

– Of particular importance in this direction is the rapid and efficient utilization of the resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. Greece is already recording important steps in this field, as 230 projects, with a total budget of 10.2 billion euros, have been included and will be implemented under “Greece 2.0”.