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ATHENS, Attica — Visiting German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Thursday he was impressed by Greece’s economic progress as he announced the creation of a fund providing additional liquidity to Greek businesses. “I am very impressed by what Greece has already achieved in rebalancing and modernising the economy,” Schaeuble said in Athens, adding: “Germany is willing to invest money once it (the fund) is set up.”
The minister spoke at an event organised by the Greek-German chamber of commerce and industry, titled “Creating the right environment for growth,” along with Greece’s finance and development ministers.
His visit came just hours after Greece’s parliament narrowly approved a sweeping bill of reforms paving the way for lay-offs and wage cuts, despite days of street protests.
Local authorities stepped up security in the capital for the visit, as Schaeuble is seen by some in Greece as a champion of the tough austerity policies that have gripped the country for the past four years.
Several metro stations were closed while traffic in the centre was blocked.
Police on Wednesday issued a statement banning “all public outdoor gatherings and demonstrations” in a large area of the city centre including parliament, the seat of government and the German embassy, in addition to the entire route leading to Athens airport.
Similar measures had been taken for the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in October.
Shortly before heading off to Athens, Schaeuble told German public radio that his visit “is a sign of encouragement that we support Greece on its difficult path.”
“We have confidence in what Greece is doing… we of course have to insist that Greece continue on this difficult path of pushing on with the agreed reforms,” he added.-AFP
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter