In a letter sent to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos had asked that the Commission support Greece's efforts to implement policies designed to boost growth and employment. The letter was sent on April 17, ahead of the Commission's report on the Greek economy due out on April 18.

Papademos listed ways in which the Commission might assist Greece in terms of the Greek government's six main priorities, including financing for SMEs, assisting the progress of major infrastructure projects, reducing youth unemployment, the privatisation programme, energy-sector policies and efficiency in using financing available from EU structural funds.

The European Commission released on April 18 a report on Growth in Greece, pointing the way to unlock growth and create jobs. According to the report, the agreement on the Second Economic Adjustment Programme and the success of the debt reduction agreement with the private sector mean that all efforts can now be concentrated on much needed growth and jobs.

The Commission highlights the steps that need to be taken during 2012, as part of the programme and explains the huge range of support measures that it can mobilise to help Greece begin to generate new economic dynamism, job creation and social cohesion.