Samaras: Greece is recovering - Will soon emerges from the crisis!

Mr. Samaras noted that the economy is not only numbers, but also the people behind the numbers and underlined the need to strengthen policy to tackle unemployment and especially young unemployment people. He also said: "Our ideology unites us Europeans; we have "changed" Europe successfully during the huge problems we are facing. We have to solve long-term problems. Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece is going much better, Greece is recovering and will soon emerge from the crisis. All these achievements happened despite predictions. Europe works. We believed in ourselves. We innovate the way for a better Europe, with more consistency, less bureaucracy, more reforms. "

Greek Prime Minister further noted that "we must keep the hopes of the society and to safeguard democracy. We have to address populism and extremism. There must be hope. The populists and extremists threaten European democracy. We will not let them. We will win. The crisis has made Europe wiser and stronger. We are proud of the steps we have taken and will continue the good work. In the wider region, from the Middle East to Ukraine, there are countries under destabilization, which all look towards Europe. There are many countries that want to join and none who wants to opt out. This is our response to the populists and euro-sceptics ".

Mr. Samaras spoke of maritime policy and the need to use energy sources and made specific reference to the need to protect maritime borders and punish traffickers. Finally he said that the Greek Presidency of the EU is successful. Earlier, the Prime Minister had a meeting with Angela Merkel in which he discussed the developments in Europe and Greece.

Barroso: Greece has a primary surplus thanks to the leadership of Antonis Samaras

"Greece is emerging the crisis, and has primary surplus thanks to the leadership of Antonis Samaras", he said in his speech at the EPP Congress, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. Mr. Barroso made extensive reference to Greece as an example for their handling of the EU, noting:

"At a meeting of European and American economists two years ago, in which I participated, everyone predicted that by the end of 2012 Greece will emerge from the EU and that it constituted a danger to the whole Union. Two years later, Greece remained in the European Union and the risk of a general collapse for Europe does not exist. We have shown responsibility and solidarity." The European Commission president will travel with the Greek Prime Minister's plane to Athens, and tomorrow will take part in EU event on the role of the regions.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and they discussed the developments in Europe and our country. On the sidelines of the Summit, Mr. Samaras will meet with the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko. Among other things, Mr. Samaras expects a first manifestation of support from conservative leaders in the economic program, mainly due to the election period , but also because of prolonged negotiations with the Troika . Yesterday , the Prime Minister met with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny , the Finnish Prime Minister Katainen Girki and of course the candidate Jean - Claude Juncker .

Before Dublin, Mr. Samaras was in Brussels for the summit convened urgently to address the situation in Ukraine and further attitude towards Russia. The Greek Prime Minister stressed the need for the European Union to develop a mediating and calming role and supported the de-escalation of the crisis through diplomatic means. Samaras stressed that Greece is developing a particular interest for the issue, as in the area of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine live many thousands of expatriates.