IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Greece’s progress in recent years at the IMF spring meetings in Washington DC, which were attended by Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.
Georgieva highlighted that Greece now ranks among the top-performing economies in the European Union, and that “Growth is higher than the EU average. From deficits just a few years ago, Greece now records a surplus. And most importantly, the country is advancing with structural reforms that make it more competitive in a world of frequent shocks,” she noted.
She also highlighted the “power of digitalization,” stressing that Greece is harnessing digital tools to deliver efficient, low-cost public services that promote transparency and reduce corruption risks.
“The Country Has Moved Past a Grey Decade”
Finance Minister Pierrakakis pointed out the contrast between today’s praise from IMF officials and the criticism Greece received during the height of the financial crisis.
“We are here at the IMF headquarters with Managing Director Ms. Georgieva, fifteen years after Greece entered an unprecedented ordeal. The country has now moved past a grey decade. With hard work, responsibility, and reforms, Greece has returned to positive growth and international outreach. We’ve stepped out of the margins and regained the trust of investors and markets,” he said.
IMF officials now speak favorably about Greece—something that was far from the case just a few years ago. “I am here representing a proud country and its citizens, who made it through,” he added.
Minister Pierrakakis concluded that while Greece can now look to the future with greater optimism, there is still much to be done to support citizens, seize opportunities, and modernize institutions.
