French President Francois Hollande, the Socialist leader who opposed austerity in his country but backed it for Greece, is due in Athens on Feb. 19 to show support for Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ implementing more pay cuts, tax hikes and slashed pensions.
The newspaper Kathimerini said that Hollande is also interested in discussing the efforts of French businesses in Greece and convincing the Greek government to lease two FREMM multi-purpose frigates two be used in the exploration of gas and oil reserves in the Aegean.
He and Samaras also will reportedly talk about Greece’s lagging efforts to privatize, and sell or lease state entities and sell off properties as ordered by international lenders to raise money to reduce the country’s staggering $460 billion debt.
Samaras wants the French company EDF to express interest in buying natural gas companies DEPA and DESFA, with Russian firms currently so far offering the highest bid before the sale closes in April. Le Figaro newspaper suggested that Hollande will be aiming to send a message to foreign investors that the adjustment process in Greece along with structural reforms are starting to pay off.
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