Political smoothness, reforms and investments are Samaras’ priorities

Critical meetings today between Samaras and the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz for the gas pipeline, as well as Vodafone and Wind.

After the crisis created by the closure of ERT and the withdrawal of DIMAR from the government, PM Antonis Samaras is in a rush to bring back stability in Greece and restore the governmental function rapidly.

Today he will meet with a delegation of the Shah Deniz gas field management consortium, in view of the notice of the selection of the pipeline that will transport gas to Europe. The delegation of Shah Deniz includes senior executives of BP and the Azeri natural gas company SOCAR.

The decision between TAP and the Nabucco project is expected by the end of the month, with the Greek government supporting the TAP pipeline project, which according to plans will start from the Turkish border and end in Italy via Albania.

As investments are the main priority, Samaras will meet today with Vodafone and Wind, who want to make a joint investment of 200 million euros in the telecommunications networks that will bring new jobs.

In yesterday's first meeting of the new cabinet Samaras called on ministers to "take the bull by the horns." He also said that the main objectives are: exhaustion of the four-year term, recovery of economy, attracting investments, tackling unemployment and structural changes.

He said that in order to have stability there will have to be necessary reforms and better government coordination. Addressing his ministers he said those responsible for coordinating the government’s work are State Minister Dimitris Stamatis and Cabinet secretary Panagiotis Baltakos.

Knowing the resentments created inside of both parties by the coalition ND - PASOK, Samaras said "of course everyone has their own ideas, but currently the salvation of our country is the ultimate ideology."

Samaras’ targets are to meet the government obligations, create a primary surplus and avoid new measures. "I believe we will achieve our goals," he said, but this phrase is far removed from the assurance that there will be no new measures.