Prime Minister Antonis Samaras arrived in Brussels yesterday to attend a summit meeting of EU heads of states and governments (February 7-8), convened to discuss and agree on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Upon arrival at the summit, the PM said that "fiscal consolidation and structural reforms are under way in Greece," Samaras told reporters before joining his EU counterparts. "The major target now is recovery and growth" adding that "structural funds are a key guarantee to success for Greece and Europe."

In this respect, a report prepared by Roland Berger consultancy estimates "every euro invested in Greece through the EU’s cohesion or other development programs will generate €1.45 to €2 in economic output, depending on whether Greece’s economy starts growing again as expected,'' writes Matina Stevis in her Wall Street Journal blog.


Crucially, she adds, "the consultancy firm estimates that if the country doesn’t recover as expected over the next few years, official funding from the EU will actually have a bigger impact."

Europa Audiovisual Services: Antonis Samaras arrives at the summit [VIDEO] & Kathimerini: PM chases funding at EU summit