Commissioner Katainen at press conference: Full and speedy implementation of reforms

Katainen wrapped up a series of meetings he had with Greek officials, including the government, MPs in parliamentary committees, and the main opposition leader.

Referring to the government's decision to increase the minimum monthly wage, the commissioner said that it naturally was a right Greece had, but the Commission also recommended that all EU countries link wages to developments in productivity. If wage increases are not linked to the increase of production, he said, they will not be viable. He acknowledged that wages in certain sectors were very low but said their increase should be accompanied by an increase in competitiveness, as a factor encouraging investments in the country.

The commissioner urged the full and speedy implementation of reforms by the present and the next government, to keep market confidence high. Taxes, he also noted, were very high and had to be gradually decreased, expanding the tax base. Perhaps part of taxation on labour and business, he said, should be passed on to consumption.

Katainen again praised Greece for being the top country in the EU in absorption of the EFSI ("Juncker Plan") in relation to its GDP.

Earlier in the day he held a "Citizens' Talk" at a European Commission event at the Athens Concert Hall on young entrepreneurs and job opportunities, and said he saw an improvement from two years ago. The attendees, he noted, spoke of all issues related to setting up a business, rather than focusing exclusively on the economic crisis. The two-day career conference organised by the Commission office in Athens is addressed to young people aged 18-35 years of age looking for a better career future, and provides information and a forum for idea exchanges.