Greece is no longer Europe’s “black sheep,” but a reliable partner, a country that takes part in making things happen, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in response to the European Commission’s intent not to continue the enhanced surveillance of Greece after its expiration on August 20, officially ending the country’s 12-year crisis, according to MIA’s Athens correspondent.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis said this was an important national achievement for Greece and the Greeks, pointing out that “with the Eurogroup seal, the economy is now free from the enhanced surveillance regime.”
“This ends the painful cycle that started 12 years ago,” Mitsotakis said.
”At the same time, this begins a new era of making autonomous choices for the country’s development.” After reaching the Greek government’s goals of lifting capital restrictions and repaying IMF loans, he said, this was a step forward for Greece toward gaining an investment grade rating, which would provide even more opportunities for its prosperity.
The Eurogroup ministerial meeting Thursday reviewed Greece’s progress in implementing reforms and its macroeconomic prospects based on the European Commission’s 14th enhanced surveillance report.
The finance ministers welcomed the European Commission’s intention not to extend the enhanced surveillance after August 20, and return conditions to normal in Greece for the first time since 2010.
