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Samaras Meets Merkel in Brussels

Still pressing his case for support, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels on Oct. 19 on the sidelines of an European Union summit meeting which began the day before. She had come to Athens on Oct. 9 to meet with him.
During the meeting, also attended by Greeceā€™s Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras, Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis, Merkel was briefed on the ongoing negotiations between the Greek government and international lenders who are demanding more austerity measures as part of a $17.45 billion spending cut and tax hike plan the Premier is readying.
The Troika of the European Union-International Monetary Fund-European Central Bank (EU-IMF-ECB) said it wonā€™t release a $38.8 billion loan, the last in a first series of $152 billion in rescue monies, nor a second bailout, for $172 billion, until Samarasā€™ uneasy coalition government goes ahead with reforms.
The newspaper Kathimerini reported that Merkel, who champions unrelenting austerity, told Samaras that Greece should make better use of EU funding subsidies that have lain dormant. The 27 leaders of the EU, which include Samaras, released a joint statement saying: ā€œWe welcome progress made by Greece and the Troika towards reaching an agreement on the policies underpinning the adjustment program and look forward to the conclusion of the ongoing review. The Eurogroup will examine the outcome of the review in light of the troika report and will take the necessary decisions.ā€
Samarasā€™ colleagues praised him for pushing the austerity measures he vowed ahead of the June 17 campaign to resist but ignored three massive protests and unrelenting strikes by Greeks furious at the program. Instead, the EU leaders said: Ā ā€œWe welcome the determination of the Greek government to deliver on its commitments and we commend the remarkable efforts by the Greek people. Good progress has been made to bring the adjustment program back on track.
“We expect Greece to continue budgetary and structural policy reforms and we encourage its efforts to ensure swift implementation of the program. This is necessary in order to bring about a more competitive private sector, private investment and an effective public sector. These conditions will allow Greece to achieve renewed growth and will ensure its future in the euro area.ā€

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