Prime Minister Antonis Samaras addressed yesterday the opening session of the European People's Party Group Presidency conference that is taking place in Athens from March 7 to 8, focusing on economic recovery in Greece.

The premier presented the results of the government and the Greek people’s efforts to overcome the crisis, noting that "it had been a tough year, but Greece succeeded in fulfilling the 'prior actions' and attaining fiscal targets for the first time in decades. [...] A Greek success story will be a relief for Greece and solid proof that the Eurozone has the strength, depth and capacity to surpass its worse problems."

In addition, the PM emphasised the European dimension of crucial national issues, such as the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the thorny issue of illegal migration. In turn, the Chairman of the EPP Group Joseph Daul underlined that Greece is making concrete progress in decreasing public deficits and increasing competitiveness and exports, urging at the same time the country to continue its reform path.