In an interview to Greek media on Sunday, EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici expressed optimism on Greece’s reform progress whilst also acknowledging the hardships and sacrifices the Greek people made to comply with the bail-out reforms package.
“The Greeks have done so many sacrifices in the last years and finally the country is ready to turn page. The success story we are writing together means the return to normality but a normality with sustainable public economic policy and a competitive economy that will be able to create the job positions that the Greeks need so much.
Moscovici confirmed the positive progress Greece has made in implementing its economic and structural reforms, noting the positive reviews it has received and that conditions were ripe for further discussions in the next Eurogroup meeting adding, “May’s agreement defines clearly the next steps, with three packages of measures (long-term, short-term and mid-term) that remain to be agreed.
Moscovici said it is ‘absolutely feasible” the staff agreement to close in the following days. Based on this agreement the Greek authorities must implement those agreed and to rapidly proceed with the necessary next steps in order the second review to be completed.
“This, however, demands the total cooperation and participation of all the interested parts”. Referring to the thorny issue of the changes in the labour market, Moscovici noted that there is still work to be done adding that progress has been recorded.
Moscovici is due to arrive in Athens for meeting today Monday.
