Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis met in Brussels today with European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen.
Mr. Xydakis noted to the Commissioner the large number of reforms that have been legislated over the past three months in Greece, and that are gradually being implemented, and asked for confirmation of the Commission’s support for the Greek government’s ongoing efforts. Mr. Katainen agreed that the efforts are in the right direction and that their completion will help Greece emerge from the crisis.
Mr. Xydakis informed Mr. Katainen that the Greek government is planning for the creation of a Development Bank and that, with the imminent completion of the recapitalization of the banks and compliance with the other prior actions, the moment is approaching for the launching of the debate on debt regulation and the Greek financial system’s entering the quantitative easing programme. They agreed that these are factors that will put Greece on track for recovery and reduction of unemployment.
Mr. Katainen, in his turn, set out the European Commission’s efforts to upgrade its economic diplomacy through its network of Representations in third countries. The goal is for the member states’ economic diplomacy to be supported, which is of particular interest to Greece.
The Commissioner also analyzed the prospects for growth of SMEs through innovative funding instruments and tools. In this direction, Mr. Katainen is already coordinating the creation of a European Commission web portal where investment plans will be compiled from all the member states in order to attract the interest of investors.
Mr. Katainen also referred to the role of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), as well as the synergies between the public and private sectors, in creating conditions for growth and reducing unemployment.
December 14, 2015