Primary surplus of 2013 at 691 million euros

According to a briefing by deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras the State Budget recorded a primary surplus of 691 million euros in 2013. In 2012 it recorded a primary deficit of 3.5 billion euros or 1.8% of GDP.

According to provisional data on the implementation of the State Budget that Staikouras presented in a modified cash basis for the 12 months of January - December 2013, the budget deficit stood at 5.35 billion euros against a deficit of 15,68 billion euros in the corresponding period of 2012.

The height of the net revenue of the State budget amounted to 52.91 billion euros, a decrease of 328 million euros or 0.6% against the revised target.

Presenting these figures Staikouras said: "The country, after many years, and enormous sacrifices of the Greek people, will achieve a primary surplus this year earlier than anticipated, which in structural terms, is the highest in Europe and due to the achievement of targets on revenue and their surpass in expenditure. It is a viable surplus, since, inter alia, the costs of the Public Investment Program and tax refunds, the pillars to enhance liquidity in the economy, finally stood at the height of the Budget, the highest since 2012."