Moscovici: Push through reforms, complete first evaluation as soon as possible

EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici on Friday reiterated, in front of a mostly Greek audience, that the first evaluation of the “Greek program” must be completed as soon as possible, referring to conditions emanating for the third memorandum signed by a Greek government in the last five years.

Speaking at an economic conference held in iconic Delphi, the French commissioner echoed other officials’ view that the Greek economy could post a marginal growth in the second half of 2016 and even reach a Commission forecast of 2.7 percent of GDP growth in 2017, “if reforms are implemented”.

Moscovici repeated that “more needs to be done” and that progress has been made in talks between the leftist Greek government and representatives of institutional creditors. He also said talks were “positive”.

Delving directly into the domestic political fray, he said taxes in the country should be paid by all, “not only those that don’t have any other choice”.

He added that a broad political consensus is needed to push through the reforms package – which includes prospective pension cuts – and which is necessary to reduce political uncertainty in the crisis-plagued country.

Referring to the ongoing refugee crisis, he said the situation is a challenge for the entire Union, and requires a “coordinated European solution”, without going into details of what such a solution may entail