‘The crisis finds us at a time when the country is accumulating positive news. Even the International Monetary Fund, our old harsh critic, recognizes the enormous progress of the Greek economy. And this crisis shows us that we must insist on deepening our reform policy and fiscal stability. This is our shield,’ Kyriakos Pierrakakis tells Kathimerini. [NIKOS KOKKALIAS]
National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis hosted a meeting on Friday with European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union Maria Luis Albuquerque.
During the meeting, Pierrakakis and Albuquerque discussed in detail the economic situation in Europe and Greece, with emphasis on the financial sector.
Special reference was made to the country’s banking system, which has become stronger, as reflected in the steady growth of deposits, the financing of the real economy and the significant decline in nonperforming loans.
The minister also had the opportunity to exchange views with the commissioner regarding the European challenges for markets and financial stability.
The meeting focused on the deepening of Banking Integration and the Capital Markets Union, necessary steps to advance the completion of the Savings and Investment Union.
Pierrakakis stressed that Greece supports this effort, actively promoting reforms in the financial sector and recognizing that the Savings and Investment Union is crucial for the future financing of the European economy, the mobilization of private capital, and the reduction of financial dependence on third markets.
Albuquerque said that “there is great optimism about the prospects of the Greek economy. It is good to see that things are different now, that the climate is more optimistic and that there is a perspective here in Greece which we believe that the Savings and Investment Union strategy could support a lot.”