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17 Sep 2013
Samaras: Recession in Greece is coming to an end
FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - Greek PM Antonis Samaras and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso held a joint press conference today in Athens during which they expressed their satisfaction with the recent improvement of the situation in Greece.
Barroso suggested that he can see a "light at the end of the tunnel" for the country, which is expected to return to growth next year. The Greek people, who had to make painful sacrifices to keep their country afloat, would continue to receive support from the EU while the government implements further austerity measures required by the Troika in exchange for the bailout.
Antonis Samaras also praised the efforts made by Greek citizens saying that they are “producing tangible results,” and forecasted that Greece would come out of the recession during its EU presidency, which begins in January 2014.
“Today there is no more talk about the infamous Grexit,” he stressed, adding that what Greece needs now most is more growth and tighter European integration. Barroso on the other hand suggested that speeding up the privatization program and the implementation of structural reforms should be key priorities for Athens. When asked about the possibility of the country requesting an additional bailout package, both leaders said however that it is uncertain at this point and that all depends on the international lenders final verdict.
Meanwhile, the Greek people have been continuing their protests against the planned job cuts in the public sector with social security workers and the municipal police on strike today. Tomorrow, the civil servants' union ADEDY will start a two day strike.
Barroso suggested that he can see a "light at the end of the tunnel" for the country, which is expected to return to growth next year. The Greek people, who had to make painful sacrifices to keep their country afloat, would continue to receive support from the EU while the government implements further austerity measures required by the Troika in exchange for the bailout.
Antonis Samaras also praised the efforts made by Greek citizens saying that they are “producing tangible results,” and forecasted that Greece would come out of the recession during its EU presidency, which begins in January 2014.
“Today there is no more talk about the infamous Grexit,” he stressed, adding that what Greece needs now most is more growth and tighter European integration. Barroso on the other hand suggested that speeding up the privatization program and the implementation of structural reforms should be key priorities for Athens. When asked about the possibility of the country requesting an additional bailout package, both leaders said however that it is uncertain at this point and that all depends on the international lenders final verdict.
Meanwhile, the Greek people have been continuing their protests against the planned job cuts in the public sector with social security workers and the municipal police on strike today. Tomorrow, the civil servants' union ADEDY will start a two day strike.