Following Greece’s successful return to the markets, the Greek government has expressed its optimism on the country’s future.
"Now is the time to plan the successful conclusion of the programme in August 2018 and the post-programme period for Greece," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Tuesday.
"You are visiting Greece on a special day, it is the day that Greece successfully returns to the markets, and this is the most important message and the most essential step in concluding this unpleasant adventure of the memorandum," Tsipras said.
Greece’s Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos also expressed his satisfaction at the response from the markets saying it was ‘something more than we expected," he said after briefing the Prime Minister, while putting emphasis on the "quality" of the investors that had shown an interest.
"We know that the Greek people have suffered greatly, have suffered more than they deserved, but I think also that we have laid the first stone, the first process for accessing the markets. There will be a second and third, so that we can approach August 2018 with confidence and exit the memorandums on different terms, so that our government can do the things it has promised," he added.
During his meeting with EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed his confidence that the European Commission will be the best ally and partner in order to successfully plan the next day for Greece.
"We have achieved a lot, we have gone a long way, and we see the light now." Responded Moscovici.
"Now it is the time to talk about Greece's future, how we will cooperate, how we will work in order to successfully conclude the programme next year and plan the next day for Greece," Tsipras underlined.
The Commissioner focused on a series of positive developments such the conclusion of the programme review, the IMF decision which is a sign of confidence in Greece, and the European Commission's proposal to end the excessive deficit procedure for Greece.
"Therefore," he said, "it is time to test the markets and I hope that it will be a positive procedure."
Moscovici underlined that he wants to celebrate the end of the programme in August 2018 and reassured the prime minister that the European Commission will be a dedicated partner and ally of Greece.
He also said that growth is higher than expected and estimated that it may reach 1.8% at least this year and 2.5%in 2018 adding that this will create jobs for the Greeks.
