Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-01-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Finance minister congratulated by Austrian counterpart for Greek fiscal policy

[01] Finance minister congratulated by Austrian counterpart for Greek fiscal policy

Speaking to the Athens News Agency (ANA) in the Austrian capital after the talks, Grasser said that he had the opportunity to congratulate Alogoskoufis because "he lived up to a truly difficult situation and he had to handle the many high deficits of past years". Alogoskoufis said that the climate at the Council and the European Commission is positive for Greece because, as he said, they acknowledge the great efforts that have been made.

Grasser said that his impression, as well as that of many of his foreign counterparts, is that Alogoskoufis was really capable to tackle this problem. He added that his Greek counterpart told him that Greece's deficit could be below 3 percent in 2006. If this is so then he will have solved the problem of deficits, a target for which the Austrian minister wishes Alogoskoufis every success.

On his part, Alogoskoufis told the ANA that that the climate at the Council and the European Commission is positive for Greece because, as he said, they acknowledge the great efforts that have been made.

Alogoskoufis reiterated that the government's target is to implement the budget strictly so that the deficit will be below 3 percent in 2006 and it remains firm on this target.

The Greek minister further said that in his talks with Grasser he outlined for him the initiatives undertaken by the Greek government for reforms and to decrease the deficit, while they also discussed ways of cooperation in the coming months to enable results to be achieved for Europe, Austria and Greece.

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