Dombrovskis on Greek debt, primary surpluses and growth
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
European Commission vice president Valdis Dombrovskis appeared positive over strong growth rates in Greece in 2017, meeting deficit and primary surplus targets in questions posed by European parliament vice president Dimitris Papadimoulis during the Economic and Monetary Policy Committee of the European parliament meeting on Friday.
On the debt, Dombrovskis said that it is part of the negotiations of the second programme review and reassured over Commission's contribution to an agreement.
Addressing Dombrovskis, Papadimoulis said "I refer to your statement two days ago in the Eurogroup meeting regarding the primary surplus. On your estimates growth and economy in Greece as well as on the primary surplus for 2017". He also quoted European Commissioner Pierre Moscovici's statements that he believes necessary and possible the completion of the second review as well as the agreement for the debt as described in May 2016 with the participation of the IMF and with a decision for short term debt relief measures in 2016.
Dombrovskis said that the Greek economy has already returned to growth. We expected 0.3 percent recession but also a 2.7 percent economic increase and strong growth in 2017, so the Greek economy is returning to growth.
in 2016 and at 2.5 pct of GDP and will continue to drop to 1 percent in 2017.
Referring to the primary surplus in 2017, he said that it is 1.75 pct of GDP for 2017 something that is absolutely feasible.
On the measures for the debt he said that it is something we have already touched in May's Eurogroup, the long-term, short-term and mid-term measures, and we are working to this direction. The discussions for the debt will be part of the negotiations within the context of the second review of the Greek programme. Of course, he said, we are not Greece's lenders, but the Commision will play its role to facilitate this agreement.
