PM Samaras meets with European Parliament President Martin Schulz in Brussels

In statements following the meeting, Schulz expressed the Parliament’s support of Greece ahead of the latter’s presidency in 2014 and of Samaras’ government and called the country “a country with enormous political and economic challenges.”

He asserted that “there is light at the end of the tunnel” and said the aimed-for surplus in the primary budget

by the end of the year was realistic. “I think we should give the country the chance to show that the efforts are really there,” he said and urged that EU-level decisions “should be taken in the light of the real economic development of possible recovery of the country.”

The Parliament agreed with Greece on a number of guidelines, to be presented later by Greece, on issues concerning border control, immigration, problems of border protection, and better sharing of information within the European Union on managing immigration problems, Schulz said, adding that the two also discussed institutional questions related to the next European elections.

Responding, Samaras said that the Greek presidency will “work very closely and consult with the European Parliament. It is a democratic necessity that we must all follow and a signal of solidarity for all of us.”

He added, “We have both agreed on growth enhancement policies and job creation as our top priorities, along with further integration steps, as well as initiatives – as the president said – on mobility, migration and an all-encompassing European Maritime Policy.”

The Greek premier said he was happy that Schulz was “as always, very growth oriented,” explaining further that “Greece is coming out of an unprecedented crisis,” which despite the social hardships signalled “the determination of the Greek people and of our European partners to shape a common future for all, a future which will be based on solidarity, competitiveness, responsibility and growth.”

Samaras is also scheduled to meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, focusing on the latest political and economic developments in Greece and the upcoming Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2014.

Their meeting will be followed by a joint press conference at 3:45 p.m. Greek time.

The Greek premier is next scheduled to meeting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at 4:00 p.m. Greek time and also European Commission Vice-president and Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia.

Source: AMNA