Better targeting and gradual lifting of support measures against him energy crisis they discussed yesterday Eurozone finance ministersas conditions in the European economy are better than expected and lower energy prices are also helping in that direction.

The Commissioner for Economic Affairs spoke characteristically of a “window of opportunity” in the coming weeks. Paolo Gentiloni, as prices fall and support measures for many Member States expire in the first quarter. Measures, according to the Commissioner of Italy, should be more targeted and phased. This will help prevent rising inflationary pressures.

Characteristically, he stated that the fiscal cost of measures received from state budgets is 1% of GDP this year compared to 1.3% last year, but on the condition that they are completed in the first half of the year. . If they continue throughout the year, the cost will reach 2% of GDP, and this is undesirable.

In Greece, the government has promised that the measures will continue during the first half of the year, and yesterday a senior source in the Ministry of Finance calculated that its possible solutions Eurogroup they won’t cause problems. In addition, he added, if energy prices remain low, it will be easier for support mechanisms to work, and we will achieve a way out of the crisis.

Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said measures to combat the energy crisis should be more targeted and phased out.

In addition, Gentiloni argued that it would be easier politically for governments to lift support measures if a collective decision were made at the Eurogroup level. In this context, he stressed the need to strengthen the coordination of Member States.

In the same vein, Eurogroup President Pascal Donoghue said the ministers had agreed to cooperate more closely and decide on the scope of support measures. He also thanked France and the Netherlands for submitting their own proposals. In 2022, the European economy appeared to be resilient, with growth appearing to be above forecasts of more than 2%, with good performance in employment, Mr. Donohiou noted.

Moreover, the head of the ESM, Pierre Gramenia, also agreed that the measures should be targeted and timely.

Mr. Gramenia said he would visit Greece in the next 15 days.

“In an unstable global environment, Greece has succeeded,” Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said. According to him, “the Greek economy is doing well, it demonstrates high stability and great prospects. We have achieved strong economic growth, twice the European average, and are expected to grow three times faster this year. We will continue to follow the same path, with a plan and fiscal responsibility, but preserving, preserving and strengthening the funds available in the country.”