Samaras upbeat about Greece’s eurozone future
Greek Prime Minister appeared optimistic with regard to Greece’s future within the eurozone following a European Union summit meeting which ended in Brussels on Friday.
?The mood with regard to Greece has changed and this was reflected in the joint-statement issued by the EU leaders,» Samaras told reporters during a press conference in Brussels on Friday afternoon.
?I had the opportunity to talk about Greece and everyone, with no exception, noted that Greece has made major progress recently. When the positive report is delivered by the troika, the next tranche [of rescue aid] will have to be released because Greek society has reached its limit,? Samaras said.
?Liquidity has reached point zero and unemployment has become a nightmare,? said the Greek Prime Minister. ?Every single Greek is going through their own personal drama and this is not what I call Europe.?
Samaras noted that the progress being made should not be endangered by excessive statements or demands.
He also stated that extremism and populism were triggered mostly by rising unemployment and that this phenomenon was unacceptable for Greece and Europe in general.
The Greek Prime Minister stressed that he will be satisfied only when the country returns to a path of growth. He also thanked his coalition partners, PAOSK’s Evangelos Venizelos and Democratic Left’s Fotis Kouvelis for their efforts.
At the press conference Samaras announced that French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti had both accepted official invitations to visit Athens.
