Eurostat foresees growth-Government prepares for Monday’s Eurogroup meeting

“We will not experience a great crisis this year in Greece,” stated German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble adding that Greece has made significant progress.

European Commissioner for Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici appeared cautiously optimistic over a possible agreement at Monday’s Eurogroup during the presentation of the European Commission’s spring report.
“All sides wish Greece to return to growth and to create jobs for the young people” noted Moscovici adding that Greece is at the forefront of the refugees issue and is very important this agreement to be reached.

“It is in the eurozone and Greece’s interest” said Moscovici who avoided to answer a question whether the Commission’s improved forecast for Greece will affect the negotiations with the IMF on the package of back up measures.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held a mini cabinet meeting with Deputy Prime Minster Yiannis Dragasakis and Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos. The meeting, which lasted for three hours, focused on the country’s negotiating tactics ahead of the crucial May 9 Eurogroup meeting on Monday, and ways to address the extra €3.6bln measures demanded by the creditors to close the review on the Greek program.