The EU Council President on Friday urged Greece to press ahead with promised economic reforms and improve tax efficiency, insisting that compliance will allow the debt-crippled country to stay in the euro.
Herman van Rompuy’s comments in Athens came as austerity monitors from bailout creditors and the European Central Bank prepared for a new audit of the country’s efforts to right its recession-mired economy and rein in runaway budget deficits.
Speaking after talks with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Van Rompuy praised Greek belt-tightening efforts so far, but added:
“These efforts must continue with additional structural reforms … (that confront) monopolies and vested interests across the economy, and include an upgrading of Greece’s tax administration.”
Van Rompuy said the program would eventually “bring the Greek people a performing public sector,” and a competitive and growing economy.
“As long as the Greek authorities stay fully committed to these objectives and deliver results, I can assure you that European institutions and each and every member state will remain committed,” he said. “I have no doubt that Greece’s future is in the euro area.”
Samaras, who still has to talk his two restive coalition partners into fully backing the entire new package, said he told van Rompuy that “Greeks have reached the limit of their endurance, and their sacrifices must bear fruit.”
Samaras said it was particularly important that these funds, if approved, are released quickly.
“This installment will mostly be used domestically and will contribute to boosting liquidity, which as we all know we need to (revive) our economy,” he said.
(source: AP)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
