European Parliament President Martin
Schulz said Tuesday he was in favour of providing additional aid to
Greece if the debt-wracked country achieves a primary surplus.
"If
there is surplus we should discuss immediately... to stabilise
recovery" of the economy, Schulz said during a press conference in
Athens after his meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
Schulz
estimated that such a discussion could take place in the spring, after
Eurostat has published its macro-economic results for 2013.
Greece
has predicted a slight primary surplus -- not including debt servicing
costs -- of 0.4 percent of GDP or 812 million euros ($1.1 million) this
year.
"After six years of recession, Greece will
achieve primary surplus, something the country has not experienced for
decades," said Samaras.
In November last year, the
eurozone states agreed that a new write-down of Greece's huge debt would
be possible if the heavily indebted country fulfils the terms of its
bailout deal and achieves a primary surplus.
ERASED A THIRD OF ITS DEBT
"We have to stick to our promises," said Schulz.
In
2012, Greece erased nearly a third of its immediate debt, nearly 106
billion euros, thanks to an unprecedented write-down agreed with private
creditors including banks and pension funds.
The government, which presented next year's budget last week, predicts Greek debt will drop for the first time in 2014.
Schulz
nonetheless warned there might be delays in the discussions regarding
Greek debt, because of the EU Parliament elections set for May 2014.
"The procedure of the appointment of the next president will last until October," he said.
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