President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos underlined his conviction on Saturday that Greece will remain in the European Union and the Eurozone, while receiving Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman at the presidential mansion in Athens.
“Greece is orientated toward remaining in Europe and the Eurozone. It will remain in the Eurozone and your views and positions, especially in your last book ‘End This Depression Now!’, help us in order to, with our partners, modify specific points of the program imposed on us. So with these changes, we can finally return to the markets and secure the growth prospects of the Greek economy,” Pavlopoulos said.
Referring to a lecture given by Krugman in Athens on Friday, the Greek President said that this significantly helped in the effort Greece is making to remain in the euro area and the EU, and to fully meet its obligations. He also praised Krugman for his contribution to the efforts to deal with the global economic crisis, saying his arguments had been instrumental in “dispelling the myth of the so-called ‘growth via austerity’.”
“In a large part thanks to you, it was proved that an austerity policy undermines growth and undermines the institutions. Unfortunately, this policy increases inequalities and does not ensure sustainable growth for the global economy nor in the Eurozone itself,” Pavlopoulos said.
Replying, Krugman said that things are at a “turning point” for both Greece and Europe. He said that steps are being made in the right direction and expressed his opinion that there is now a chance to “finally move forward.”
In a press conference in Athens on Saturday, Krugman said that there must be an end to austerity imposed on Greece but advised the government against exiting the euro, which he warned could have “nightmarish” results.
(source: ana-mpa)
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