The head of the European Union’s Task Force for Greece, Horst Reichenbach told The Economist conference in Athens on April 16 that the Greek coalition government has shown the right stuff, at least in terms of what its lenders want, to keep pushing reforms and austerity despite continued resistance from labor unions.
Speaking at the event titled Europe Unbound. Overcoming the Crisis: Re-igniting Greece’s Potential, at the Athens Intercontinental Hotel, Reichenbach also said that the European Commission is willing to support Greece on the road to recovery, as “the dynamic of structural reforms is now clear in Greece and there are tangible results.”
He added that, “The situation could not be more hopeful,” except, of course, for Greeks crushed by pay cuts, tax hikes and slashed pensions while tax cheats owing $70 billion largely remain untouched by sacrifice.
The Greek government has reached a deal with its international creditors on a series of reforms – including thousands of layoffs in the civil service – following two weeks of tough talks, paving the way for the release of crucial rescue funding.
“There should be no doubt that this government has the determination and the ability to continue on this path of reforms with the aim of reviving growth and creating new jobs,” Reichenbach said.
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