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13 December 2012

Kathimerini: Greece gets green light for crucial loans


Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, speaking at a news conference in the Belgian capital, said that the Eurogroup's decision to release some €50 billion in loans over the next few months would give Greece the chance to "exit the crisis stronger, not on its knees".

“Over the next few months, we’ll get €52.5 billion, which is something nobody had expected”, he said. “About €40 billion of this will stay in the country and the rest is being used to reduce our debt.” The premier’s immediate response to news of the disbursement decision earlier in the day bordered on the triumphant. “Grexit is dead, Greece is back on its feet”, he told reporters.

“Within the next few weeks, we’ll complete the recapitalisation of our banks, which will help liquidity and boost job creation, which is the top priority”, said Samaras.

“Some people expected us to be out of the euro and cannot believe that we are staying in”, added the prime minister. “We have restored trust in Greece abroad; now we will restore the dignity of the Greek people.”

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, who was also at the news conference, said that the Eurogroup’s decision on Thursday would douse, but not end, speculation about Greece leaving the euro. “The threat of a euro exit is beginning to fade after today’s decision”, he said, adding that there was still much work for the government to do.

Full article



© Kathimerini


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