Greece, EU call for coordinated effort to overcome economic crisis

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and visiting European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek made a joint plea on Wednesday for coordinated efforts to exit the economic crisis.

“The presence of the European Parliament President in Athens sends a strong message of support of the sacrifices of Greek people, so that Greece will restore its credibility and will create a sustainable economy with transparency,” said Papandreou after his meeting with Buzek.

Stressing that the problem is not restricted to Greece, Papandreou added that the target is a “more competitive Europe in the path of growth and green development”.

“Greece is not alone. The government has a Herculean task ahead,” noted Buzek, expressing certainty that Athens will reach the targets set to exit the crisis over a three year period with a package of austerity measures, reforms and the financial aid of EU and the International Monetary Fund.

Austerity measures, like drugs, are bitter, but necessary, said Buzek, whose homeland Poland went through a similar difficult period in the 1990s.

The head of the European Parliament stressed that Greece remains a safe country and an ideal tourist destination, despite tensions that always follow major changes.

Buzek also discussed with Papandreou the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia (FYROM), the Cyprus issue and the European prospects of Western Balkan countries.