Despite the generally good performance of the Greek economy, “vigilance is required” as “weaknesses remain”. says “K” former commissioner and current chairman of the French Court of Audit Pierre Moscovici. He does not forget to refer to the current geopolitical situation and the need for Europe to stand on its own in the world. Mr. Moskovich also expresses hope that Turkey’s deterioration in all indicators that can link it to the EU is reversible.

– I responded to the invitation of my colleague Ioannis Sharma, Chairman of the Greek Court of Audit, who began a process of strengthening his powers, similar to the one I started in 2020 at the French Court of Audit. Our two institutions maintain close ties, as the Hellenic Court of Accounts is modeled after the corresponding French court, and my visit should further strengthen these ties: a bilateral cooperation agreement should be signed between the two Supreme Audit Institutions (AOE) of our countries. and I invite our Greek friends to join the francophone AOE community. We are also independent judges with jurisdictional responsibilities. In France, as in Greece, and in more than forty other countries that already have an SAI with such powers, it is easier for us to impose sanctions for mismanagement or to take civil or criminal justice for any violation of the proper management of public money. This improves management efficiency and helps to better deal with attacks on integrity. In addition, I again find many friends in Greece, which I made when I was European Commissioner. I said at the time that austerity was not the right thing to do, and I fought to ensure that Greece could gradually emerge from the era of programs without resorting to them. In the period we are currently in, with weak economic growth coupled with a high debt ratio in the EU, I return to share a shared vision with them.

“I have been following the Greek crisis very closely and I am proud that the support measures have paid off,” says Pierre Moscovici in K.

– The Greek economy registered one of the highest growth rates in the Eurozone in 2022, and even if there is a slowdown in 2023, the trend will remain good and allow the recovery of public finances and consolidation of the banking sector to continue. As part of my duties as Minister of Economy and Finance and later EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, I have followed the Greek crisis very closely. I am proud that the support measures have paid off and I am glad that Greece is back on a positive path. Of course, the disadvantages remain. Therefore, efforts must continue, and vigilance is still required. Greece, committed to the European Green Deal, should also invest mainly in ecological transition, digitalization and infrastructure.

“Europe is more than ever at the center of major geopolitical and strategic stakes. The model of liberal democracy that dominated the post-Cold War era is now being challenged by illiberal democracies, populist and even authoritarian regimes. The war in Ukraine is changing the paradigm that is shaking Europe. In this new paradigm, we must not forget that Europe is not a given and never will be. It must promote the rule of law and freedom while learning the language of power in a world polarized between the US and China. We share the same democratic values ​​as the United States, we are in a significant military alliance with them, we participate in the same international organizations. Europe must make its voice heard.

– When the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU was raised in 1999, I took a position that I saw in the future as a commitment to common values, as well as support for the Greek-Turkish approach. But the situation has changed 20 years later. In Turkey, there has been a deterioration in fundamental rights, freedom of speech, the independence of the judiciary, or the functioning of democratic institutions. Hopefully this deterioration will be reversible! In any case, although relations between the EU and Turkey should be improved, membership is no longer relevant. Turkey’s foreign policy is also of concern, especially the threats to Greek sovereignty and its attitude towards Cyprus. In the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine, it is necessary to remove obstacles to the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO and preserve the possibility of exporting Ukrainian grain by sea.