Greece: satisfied ministers and depressed citizens

The finance ministers of the Eurogroup allotted the first tranche of  the economic aid in the amount of 1.1 billion euros. The remaining 1.7 billion euros will be paid before the end of October. This delay is, as the Greek side explained, exclusively related to the technical issues.

During the press conference the Chairman of the Eurogroup Jeroen Deysselblum noticed that Athens fulfilled the promises made to Europe. He added that the important reforms of the pension system, the energy sector, the banking sector, as well as in the funds of privatization and customs were carried out.

The Greek Minister of Finance Euclid Tsakalotos claimed that he is satisfied with the decision of the Eurogroup. He commented on a unanimous decision about allotting 2.8 billion: «We are moving far forward this goal».

All these agreements were reached against the background of constant worker strikes in different sectors of the Greek economy. People are not satisfied with the privatization of state enterprises and the reduction of social benefits, allowances and even salaries.

Strikes and protests occasionally became into mess disorders, as it has recently happened during the strike of  air traffic controllers which was organized against the privatization of companies concerned with the civil aviation.