Kyriakos Pierrakakis was welcomed to the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.

The two ministers discussed international economic developments, focusing on the impact of US duties, as well as European defense and security issues.

The meeting between the two ministers attended: Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanassis, Deputy Minister Thanos Petralias and Giorgos Kotsiras, Head of Prime Minister Michalis Argyrou’s financial office, as well as the Head of the Financial Office of the Financial Bureau of Greece.

Welcoming his Irish counterpart, the Greek minister noted that he was greeted “in a very different context than in the past, in a different Greece. In a country with growth, which reduces its debt rapidly, which controls its costs, which is respected by European resources. In an economy that, from 2019 onwards, it has created half a million jobs, which has achieved goals and presents primary surpluses that it can support its citizens who are at the heart of our decision. “

For his part, Mr Donohoe congratulated the Greek government “on the dynamism of the Greek economy and the progress that has been made”. As he added, “it is proof of this government’s responsible management to see significant reforms continuing steadily.” He further stressed that “as president of the Eurogroup, I can say that it is a source of pride for the whole eurozone to see Greece leading the way of sustainable development. This has been clearly and externally recognized, through the upgrades of the rating agencies in recent months. “

The two ministers agreed to the need to safeguard the free international trade based on rules. Mr Pierrakakis noted that “Ireland and Greece are active members of the European Union and the Eurozone and we agree that trade wars have no winners. Our concern, the concern of all eurozone countries, is the safeguarding of the free international trade -based trade and the growth trajectory of our economies. “

Furthermore, they referred to the importance of maintaining unity within the European Union and the Eurozone, but also to the need for reforms, which would derive regulatory barriers to the single European market. In this context, Mr. Pierrakakis presented to his Irish counterpart the “Mito” platform, as well as the Greek plan to simplify unnecessary regulatory processes.

Mr Donohoe pointed out in this regard that “as we observe the major changes that are taking place in our world, close cooperation and friendship between the countries of the European Union will now be necessary. Within the eurozone, we will find the right combination of policies that will protect our economies, but also help us invest in the long -term power of the Greek economy, the Irish economy, the eurozone and the euro economy. “

Finally, regarding the funding of European Defense and Security, Mr Pierrakakis referred to Greek positions on the need for rapid activation of the escape clause for defense spending, in a way that will benefit all European Union countries. “For Greece, defense is a national affair,” the Minister of National Economy and Finance stressed, adding that “in this difficult geopolitical context, it is extremely important that the European Union member states have the necessary fiscal space to invest in their security.”