PM Samaras meets visiting German finance minister Schaeuble

A meeting between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and visiting German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble at the Government Building ended after 40 minutes on Thursday afternoon, or 10 minutes longer than originally planned.

It was followed by a meeting that included Government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, Administrative Reform Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Deputy Finance Minister George Mavraganis, state deputy Christos Lazaridis and one of the premier's diplomatic advisors. After the meeting, Schaeuble also met Venizelos one-on-one.

After the departure of the German finance minister, the prime minister and government vice-president had a 10-minute talk.

According to sources, Schaeuble told those at the meeting that the "glass is very full" and acknowledged the efforts of the Greek government. He also welcomed Parliament's approval on Wednesday of an omnibus bill pertaining to prior actions demanded of Greece, including public-sector reforms.

Samaras referred to the efforts being made by the government and admitted that there had been some delays but stressed that the pace of reforms will accelerate from now on.

Source: Athens News Agency