Samaras: I asked for the timely disbursement of the next tranche

After his meeting with prime minister Antonis Samaras, European Council president Herman Van Rompuy expressed his confidence that Greece will remain in the Eurozone and member states and European institutions will support its efforts.

He also recognized the efforts and choices of the Greek people. "I think the Greek people made courageous choices for the position of Greece in the EU and the Eurozone. I was assured that the coalition government would proceed with fiscal consolidation and reforms. The efforts to reduce the deficit should continue, while the reforms have to break monopolies and vested interests".

He highlighted the need for social justice so that those who have more would lift the bigger weight and expressed his confidence that with the passage of time the program will yield financial stability in the economy and public administration.

He assured that "all institutions and member states will support Greece. For those who doubt it, I remind them that we approved a 240-billion bailout package."

Rompuy said that the crisis is not only Greek and that we need collective action, and emphasized the decisions of the European Central Bank to buy government bonds.

Lastly, he said that all countries should make structural changes and assured that there is no doubt about the integrity of the Eurozone.

Antonis Samaras said he informed the president of the European Council about the great efforts of the Greek people to restore the country's credibility and be consistent with its obligations. "I stressed the need for a timely disbursement of the tranche that will be directed internally to enhance liquidity and revive our economy."

He continued by saying he presented the expanded program of privatizations to Rompuy and raised the question of statements abroad regarding Greece’s stay in the Eurozone, which make the country's efforts more difficult. He added, however, that this has changed significantly and thanked the president of the European Council for his own statements.

He also said that "I told him about the shrinking of the economy and about unemployment" and that his political priority is growth and the creation of jobs.

Samaras raised the issue of illegal immigrants and the need for pressure from the EU to the countries of origin to accept them back. He concluded by saying that Rompuy is a friend of the country and he counts on his support.

The meeting with Rompuy comes after Samaras’ contacts with Jean-Claude Juncker, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, and before his trip to Frankfurt next Tuesday, where he will meet with ECB president Mario Draghi. In the meantime, he will meet with the Troika team that is in our country, probably on Monday.