FinMin, EIB chief discuss further funding of private and public investments in Greece
Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras paid an official visit to the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg on Thursday following ECOFIN's meeting, which he attended.
Staikouras met with EIB President Werner Hoyer and discussed new ways of supporting Greek sectors and businesses through the EU funding organization, reducing the cost of Greece's debt and supporting the Greek banking system. They also discussed EIB's plans to double its funding of climate-related investments and the recently agreed funding for flood protection projects.
Hoyer said after the meeting that Greece has always been a priority for funding, especially in terms of investments supported through the Juncker plan, and expressed his pleasure at reaffirming EIB's commitment to Greece looking ahead.
Staikouras noted that the government's main goal is to promote economic development and create new job openings. "Collaboration to increase private and public invstments is a top priority for the Greek government and for EIB," he said, "in order to gain ground lost since 2009. EIB's contribution to covering the investment gap in Greece is more than welcome."