Venizelos sends letter to Barroso with five suggestions for development

The president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, was the recipient of a letter sent by PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos. The latter suggested to Barroso five ways to support medium businesses, labour and Greek households via a development package funded by the EU and the EC.
 
Venizelos made this move now because the EC is soon to announce its development package following the implementation of the October 26 decision, the PSI success, the reduction of the deficit and the approved new bailout scheme.

The PASOK head specifically points out five crucial issues:

1.    Unemployment which should be tackled through better funding, aggressive policies and educational programmes.

2.    The lack of liquidity that small and medium businesses are facing. He says they should be able to access the banking system with the help of the Hellenic Deposit & Investment Guarantee Fund.

3.    Blocked big construction works which stopped being funded due to the problems in the banking system. This issue could be solved with the help of a mechanism of allocation of money from structural funds.

4.    All big programmes in progress such as investment and privatization ones that are stuck due to bureaucratic reasons. “We are asking for more flexibility on the part of the EC, always in the framework of EU laws”, wrote Venizelos.

5.    Implementing the disbursement of NSRF money, as these funds could relieve this situation of need.

Without such financial mediation, “we will not succeed in what we want” said Venizelos, expressing the expectation that the EC will respond positively.

Barroso himself wishes to have a telephone contact with Venizelos on Monday evening, “and I will get the chance to speak to him personally of those matters.”

“Nothing is easy, nothing is random. There is need of work, of a plan and consistency. Greeks are fighting and they will win”, wrote Venizelos.