Mr.Stathakis, who is in New York with the Greek PM, is the first Greek official from the government which emerged from the September elections to meet an IMF official. The subjects discussed were the latest developments in the Greek economy, the recapitalization of the Greek banks, and the necessity for the country to achieve positive economic results. The Greek side also noted the need for measures that would ensure social unity and peace.
It is worth noting that the IMF has been maintaining that the Greek debt is not viable and is putting pressure on Europe in order to move towards a substantial lightening of the burden of the Greek debt. The Fund has clarified that this will be paramount to its decision to participate in the third bailout program.
Apart from Mrs.Lagarde, the head of the European department Paul Thomsen also participated in the meeting on behalf of the IMF. On the Greek side, the minister was accompanied by the Greek ambassador C.Panagopoulos and Mr. M.Psalidopoulos who is the representative of Greece in the IMF.