VAT reduction in catering discussed by Samaras - Dijsselbloem

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras hosted a working luncheon for Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem in the presence of the governmental economic team and PASOK president Evangelos Venizelos.

A private meeting between Samaras Dijsselbloem had preceded and according to Finance Minister Yannis Stournara it was held in a very good climate.

Stournaras said they discussed the issue of reducing VAT in catering, however, as he added, there was no discussion on a possible debt reduction.

Evangelos Venizelos described the meeting at the Maximos Mansion as constructive and placed as top priorities the combating of unemployment, by asking the support of the EU, and the VAT reduction in catering. "It is important to realize that the strength of society has reached its limits and cannot bear new measures," he said.

Τhen Dijsselbloem met with Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras. In his statements afterwards, the eurozone head left an “open window” for the reduction of the Greek debt in mid-2014, as long as there is an agreement for a "retrospective" transfer of the 50 billion euros the recapitalization of Greek banks will cost this year.