Samaras - First signs of economic recovery already visible

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The first signs of recovery of the Greek economy are already visible, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras while addressing a conference on the utilization of EU funds in the next programming period of 2014-2020, budgeted at 36 billion Euros. Addressing the 1st National Development Conference for the programing period 2014-2020, jointly organized by the Development Ministry and the European Commission, and held on Thursday, Samaras said that the year 2013 is a turning point that will lead to growth, given that the results of the measures taken by the government will begin to be clearly visible in the next quarter and become tangible on the market by the end of the year.

Indeed, Samaras made a specific reference to the fact that in February a positive balance between hirings and layoffs was posted for the first time in many years, which he said was a significant sign of recovery.

On the overall course of the economy, the premier said that Greece is not at risk of finding itself outside the Eurozone, but pointed out that the crisis has traumatized the European vision, especially in the South. "That is why we must change much more, so that the waves of populism will not annul all that has been done to date. We must see Europe as an ally and not as a punisher, and the assistance provided to us by European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn via the 36 billion euros in funds that will flow into the country by 2020 are the response -- to the anti-European voices inside the country -- that Europe is our home," Samaras said.

    "I believe that even those who react, hope inside that we will remain in the euro and Europe," he added.

On the mode of operation of public administration, with the focus on absorption of the Community funds and materialization of the projects, the premier said that:

    "the eras of lax rates of the public sector have ended ... There is neither room nor justification for allowing any delays because of bureaucracy when you are asking for money from the citizens".

In closing, Samaras said that he has sent dossiers with instructions to all the ministries for actions to coordinate and accelerate efforts aiming at better utilization of the funds.

    "We are making the transition from the vicious cycle of recession to the virtuous cycle of growth," Samaras said. (AMNA)