The European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Pierre Moscovici, who is in Athens on a two-day visit, commented that “it would be a pity for Greece to face a Grexit again, after the considerable work that has been done”.
Mr. Moscovici made the comments following his 45-minute meeting on Monday with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Minister of Finances Gikas Hardouvelis. The French politician recognized that while there are reforms yet to be implemented, significant progress has been made. Nevertheless, he stressed the need to expedite structural reforms in order to address the growth and unemployment problems.
The European Commission also explained that the purpose of his trip was to discuss “the next day” following the completion of the bailout program and the much-debated ECCL. The two-month extension of the bailout program has altered the relationship between Europe and Greece and stressed that there is a desire to take to a different level. When asked about the critical Presidential election that begins on Wednesday, Mr. Moscovici simply responded that “it is not my field”.
Moscovici “impressed” with Labor Ministry efforts
On Tuesday Mr. Moscovici met with Labor Minister Yannis Vroutsis and discussed the policies to increase employment and strategies to tackle youth unemployment. Following the meeting, Mr. Vroutsis told journalists that Mr. Moscovici was “impressed” by the efforts and changes that have been implemented in such a short time.
The Commissioner also met with the Governor of the Bank of Greece Yannis Stournaras, but did not make any comments on his way out. He was accompanied by the European Commission’s troika representative Declan Costello and the head of the Commission’s Task Force in Greece, Horst Reichenbach.
