Greece delivered, Samaras tells European Parliament

The reinforcement of growth and employment, the completion of economic and monetary union as well as immigration policy were at the top of the agenda of the Greek rotating presidency of the European Union, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras noted in a speech addressed to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Presenting the six-month presidency’s program at a plenary session, the Greek Prime Minister spoke of the need to strike a balance between fiscal discipline and growth as well as to provide liquidity to the real economy, especially through the funding of small and medium-scale businesses.

Samaras also noted that the Greek presidency would strengthen EU ties with its traditional allies, such as the United States.

On the subject of Greece, Samaras said that the country’s rough course was due to its own mistakes but also to errors in the fiscal multiplier used by the troika for its adjustment program.

The country, which was now entering a period of growth, had honored its pledges and its signature. “We delivered,» said the Greek premier.