Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-02-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] EU issues upbeat report on Greek stability program

[01] EU issues upbeat report on Greek stability program

The European Commission published its evaluation on Greece's economic stability programme for the period 2006-2009, noting that Greece cut its excessive fiscal deficit in 2006, while underlining that long-term fiscal stability was needed for the economy to benefit from strong growth and to reduce the risk of higher than expected deficits after 2008.

Specifically, the Commission announced that Greece's stability programme for 2006-2009 primarily aimed at reducing its excessive deficit, according to recommendations made by the Council of Ministers, as well as to set medium-term targets for balanced or surplus budgets using structural measures. By 2009, the programme envisages a gradual reduction of the fiscal deficit to 1.25 pct of GDP, and of the public debt to 91.25 pct of GDP, the Commission said.

The EU's executive said the long-term impact from an ageing population on the country's fiscal condition was "uncertain", since there were no available long-term forecasts for pension cost in Greece. The Commission noted, however, that due to a high public debt and expected significant pension spending in the country, Greece faced high risk over the stability of its fiscal condition.

In general, the Commission said Greece's stability programme was compatible with a target of reducing its excessive deficit in 2006, although the rate of adjustment in the next few years, after 2007, should be accelerated to fully exploit strong growth rates and to reduce the risk of presenting larger than expected deficits after 2008.

Based on the above, the Council of Ministers made three recommendations for the country, namely, to ensure a reduction in the public debt to take advantage of a favourable economic conjunction.

Secondly, the EU urged Greece to continue improving its fiscal data, which will increase transparency, clarify long-term fiscal strategy and effectively implement mechanisms to properly record and regulate primary spending.

Finally, the Commission said Athens, in view of its high public debt and expected increase in pension spending, should improve the long-term stability of its finances by controlling public spending in its pension and social insurance systems, and implement reforms.

Greece should also present, as soon as possible, long-term forecasts for its spending on social security.

Caption: European Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia speaks during a news conference in Paris on Monday, 04 December 2006. ANA-MPA/ EPA/OLIVER WEIKEN

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