15 Jan 2014
Greek PM: Combating unemployment a top priority of the Greek EU presidency
FXstreet.com (Łódź) - Greek PM Antonis Samaras, who spoke at the European Parliament today, said that one of the top goals of the Greek EU presidency, which began on January 1, would be reducing unemployment.
He stressed the fact that Greece managed to meet the bailout conditions and avoided exiting the Eurozone at the expense of its own economic growth.
"We have pulled off the biggest reduction in debt without suffering bankruptcy,” Samaras said. “Eighteen months ago our country was on the brink of catastrophe and many thought we would leave the eurozone...and the eurozone would disintegrate ... but we have proved that Europe could hold its own and come through."
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, also present at the European Parliament, said that he expected Greece to see positive GDP growth this year.
He stressed the fact that Greece managed to meet the bailout conditions and avoided exiting the Eurozone at the expense of its own economic growth.
"We have pulled off the biggest reduction in debt without suffering bankruptcy,” Samaras said. “Eighteen months ago our country was on the brink of catastrophe and many thought we would leave the eurozone...and the eurozone would disintegrate ... but we have proved that Europe could hold its own and come through."
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, also present at the European Parliament, said that he expected Greece to see positive GDP growth this year.