The President of the Republic, Constantine Tasoulas, met Finance Minister Kyriakos-Pierrakakis, whom he congratulated on his election as Eurogroup chairman, and the two then discussed the prospects for the Greek economy.

The President of the Republic stressed that: “I invited you to talk about the prospects of the Greek economy, about the big figures, about the medium figures and especially about the impact of this development of the economy on society, the impact on the citizen.”

On his election to the Eurogroup, he underlined that “when your election to the Eurogroup was announced, I felt the need to congratulate you. It is not only a personal success, Mr. Minister, it is also a success of Greece, of the Greek people themselves.”

For his part, Kyriakos Pierrakakis stressed that Greece now has an increased weight and increased prestige in terms of decision-making at the European level, while he also referred to the government’s economic goals of fighting tax evasion, attracting foreign investment and utilizing public property.

The President’s statement in detail: “Mr. Minister, Happy New Year. The good year for you consists also practically in the fact that you have a passed Budget in your hands to implement, with positively ambitious forecasts for the economy in 2026, you have a National Development Plan in front of you.

You have the Presidency of the Eurogroup, I think next Monday will be your debut as President of this important mechanism of the European Union.

I invited you to talk about the prospects of the Greek economy, about the big figures, about the medium figures and especially about the impact of this development of the economy on society, the impact on the citizen.

When your election to the Eurogroup was announced I felt the need to congratulate you. It is not only a personal success, Minister, it is also a success for Greece, for the Greek people themselves, who with their sacrifices and patience have made a decisive contribution to the recovery of the economy and to our ambition to conquer the Investment Grade A in 2026. And if we remember a little where we were a few years ago, surely this can only be considered a success.

So I welcome you, I wish you every success in your dual role for the country, for the economy and for our society.”

Pierrakakis: We have several stakes: a crackdown on tax evasion, attracting foreign investment, and leveraging public assets

In turn, Eurogroup President and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr President. I, in turn, wish you all the best for 2026. Warm wishes for health, for strength, so that we can meet all the challenges that lie ahead of us.

Indeed, next Monday, my colleagues and I are preparing for the Eurogroup meeting, which will meet for the first time with the new composition, under the Greek Presidency.

In principle, we know that the challenges ahead of us at the European level are many. We have a number of issues which, if the right decisions are taken, can strengthen Europe’s leading role.

From the Savings and Investment Union to the foundation of the single market. And all these, cumulatively, help all member states, including us as Greece.

What I can tell you is that our country, as you mentioned, has an increased weight and increased authority in terms of decision-making at the European level.

And this is a reflection of the efforts and sacrifices of the Greek people and all the positive signs of progress of the Greek economy in recent years: From the recovery of the investment grade to the very strong growth rates, which we expect for 2026, as well as the rapid deceleration of the debt, which also played a very, very big role.

And I’m pleased to have the opportunity to update you on all the bets that we have ahead for the Greek economy for 2026, the strengthening of growth, how we will support the disposable income of Greek citizens and how growth will reach every home effectively.

Let me say that the forecast based on the budget data for 2026 is in the range of 2.4%, but of course we have a number of bets, the fight against tax evasion, attracting foreign investment, the development of public assets.

So I’m pleased to have the opportunity to update you on all of that and I think we have every reason to be optimistic about a good year.”