Staikouras: «Greece returns, after 12 years, to European normality»

«A great national goal has been achieved: Greece is returning, after 12 years, to European normality,» Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said in a statement on the country's exit from the enhanced surveillance regime. At the same time, he lists the benefits arising from this event.

In particular, the Minister said the following:

The achievement of another major national goal is a fact. A few days ago, in a letter to the Greek Finance Minister, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis and Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni confirmed Greece's exit from the enhanced surveillance regime on 20 August, noting that our country has implemented the bulk of the policy commitments made to the Eurogroup, that it has effectively implemented reforms - despite the adverse conditions caused by the health and, more recently, the geopolitical crisis - and that it has thus significantly strengthened the resilience of its economy.

With this development, together with the early repayment of loans from the International Monetary Fund and the lifting of capital restrictions, a difficult chapter for our country is closed after 12 years. Greece is returning to European normality and ceasing to be an exception in the eurozone. This achievement is the fruit and recognition of the great sacrifices made by Greek society, the government's economic policy and, more broadly, its reform work.

The country's exit from enhanced surveillance has multiple benefits:

* Strengthens Greece's position in international markets.

* Provides an additional boost to its growth potential and to attract investment.

*Gives degrees of freedom to conduct economic policy, within the framework of existing rules that apply to all European Member States.

*It brings us closer to achieving the last goal we have set, that of regaining the investment grade.

So far, despite unprecedented, multi-level crises and new challenges - European and international - we have proven, citizens and state alike, that we can do it. We are setting goals and with planning, unity, determination, confidence in our abilities and hard work, we are achieving them! We are making our country stronger all round».