PM Samaras says joint actions with Italy 'particularly important'

Visiting Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday termed as "particularly important" the undertaking of "joint action with Italy" in view of the two countries' successive EU presidencies in 2014, so that "Europe changes" direction.

Speaking during a joint conference after one-hour talks with his Italian counterpart Enrico Letta, Samaras also said that a bilateral cooperation aiming at bringing changes in EU's policies regarding illegal immigration, was equally important.

The Greek premier further noted that after many years of crisis, Greece's economy was now "restarting", while underlining that "what is at stake for Europe and Greece is to achieve growth."

On his part, Italian premier Letta indicated that one of the main issues of talks in view of the October 24-25 European Council meeting will be the major problem of illegal immigration, especially after the important wave of migrants arriving in Italy during the past months and the series of deadly shipwrecks off the Italian coast.

Letta also called for the reinforcement of Frontex for the control of European frontiers, the activation of the EuroSur programme, while noting that the Italian military-humanitarian mission 'Mare Nostrum' wil be completed on December 2, through the start of the EuroSur programme.

He added that the process of granting political asylum will be among top issues on the agenda.

As regards Greece, Letta recognised the country's "significant efforts and the positive results achieved by the Greek  government and by Antonis Samaras personally" in handling the economic crisis.