The country’s progress and the recognition of Greek reforms by international institutions was confirmed by the meeting Pierrakakis-Georgieva in Brussels
The spectacular progress of the Greek economy and the new role the country is now playing as a force for stability and reforms was praised by the Director General of International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva during her meeting with Minister of Economy and Finance and President of the Eurogroup Kyriacos Pierrakakis in Brussels.
The meeting was held on the occasion of the participation of Greece in SEETAC (Southeast Europe Regional Technical Assistance Centre), the new IMF Regional Technical Assistance Centre for Southeast Europe, in which our country participates as a founding partner.
The IMF Managing Director General said:
“Thank you very much. My mission today is to express my deep gratitude to Greece for partnering with the IMF in an effort to strengthen the capacities and expertise of countries aspiring to join the European Union.
At the same time, I want to acknowledge the great progress made by Greece, a country that faced serious difficulties during the Eurozone crisis, but which has emerged as a country that is today among the leading economies of Europe. It is one of only five countries to record a fiscal surplus, and this surplus enables it to share its experience generously and support financially countries on their path to EU membership.
Let me close with two messages:
First, congratulations to Greece for what it has achieved, for its spectacular progress and for the leadership that has led the country to where it is today. Your role has been instrumental.
And second, I wish the new Center, the 18th in the IMF’s family of regional centers, every success, and welcome Greece as a founding partner in this new venture.
It is a new era of cooperation between Greece and the IMF: from being a recipient of technical assistance to being a provider of expertise to others.”
For his part, Kyriakos Pierrakakis said:
“Dear Cristalina, it is a great pleasure to have you with us today, you, the Managing Director of the IMF, on a day marked by this important announcement we have just made: the participation of Greece in SEETAC, the IMF’s Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southeastern Europe.
This participation will be based on an annual contribution from Greece of €1 million over a five-year horizon. However, I would like to underline that, as you have pointed out, this is not only a financial commitment. It is primarily about technological know-how and the knowledge we have acquired through the implementation of reforms. Because it is precisely these reforms that create sustainable fiscal surpluses and sustainable rates of economic growth.
I would like to focus on two points. First, this decision has strong symbolism. It is a strong message from our side.
Because Greece was once a country participating in an IMF programme, while today it is becoming a country contributing reform experience, knowledge and expertise to Western Balkan countries and Moldova.
And secondly, it is a express expression of Greece’s leadership role in the wider region, which for us comes with greater responsibility: to help accelerate convergence among the countries of the region, to strengthen their resilience and to promote greater prosperity for all.
Thank you again very much for being here with us today. I look forward to continuing our discussions both today and at tomorrow’s Eurogroup in Luxembourg.”
