The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and former US President Bill Clinton were guest speakers at the Hellenic Initiative’s Inaugural Banquet in New York on Thursday, which this year was focused on “Investing in the Future of Greece”.
Mr. Samaras explained that Greece’s main issues were the financial and political stabilization, which has contributed towards becoming a bastion of stability in the greater region, remarking how much the situation has changed and improved in a year.
The PM referred to his talks with investors from the business communities and politicians such as Vice President Bidden and members of Congress. While he recognized that it was not the best time to ask for investments, Mr. Samaras reported that he had gained “respect” for achieving a “financial comeback” in spite of the 25% drop of GDP, Greeks losing up to 40% of their income and youth unemployment soaring to 60% (27% overall).
The Prime Minister focused on the financial recovery, revealing that the recession (for the sixth year in a row) will be less than originally estimated, that the rate of unemployment is slightly less in the second trimester of 2013 compared to the first and that for the first time in over a decade, the country will have a primary surplus.
Unavoidably, Mr. Samaras referred to pressing political matters such as Golden Dawn, the existence of which he dubbed “embarrassing” and “worrying”. He claimed that his government would crush the neo-Nazis, before arguing that “populism is losing ground” and that his administration has achieved everything by upholding democratic rules and laws.
Regarding his trip to Israel next Monday, Mr. Samaras explained that his goal is to create a strategic tripartite partnership between Israel, Cyprus and Greece, adding that the energy resources of the three Mediterranean countries could cover 50% of energy needs in Europe for the next 30 years.
