Greece says will carry out reforms, privatisations

Reuters: Greece’s new finance minister on Saturday pledged to carry out reforms and privatisations demanded under its latest financial rescue in an attempt to regain credibility with international partners stumping up money to keep the country afloat.

In his first policy speech since taking office, respected economist Yannis Stournaras reiterated the government’s plan to ask lenders for an additional two years to implement deficit cutting measures, citing a deeper-than-expected recession.

But he also warned of a tough road ahead in convincing the so-called troika of European Union, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank lenders to give Greece more time and money.

“The negotiations will not be quick - they will be long and arduous,” he told parliament during a debate ahead of a confidence vote on the government on Sunday.

“Additional time is required because the recession was bigger than expected. The extension means someone will have to give us more money and this is not simple.”

He warned the near-bankrupt country risked a great deal if it failed to hit the targets it had signed up to.

“Greece must carry out the measures that it has already voted on as part of its 2012 budget so that it moves towards the targets it has committed to and to avoid losing more of its credibility and risk the next aid tranche,” he said.

Faced with public anger and an emboldened opposition, Greece’s new conservative-led government has promised to push for changes to a deeply unpopular 130 billion euro bailout deal keeping the country away from bankruptcy.

But that has set it on course for a showdown with its increasingly impatient lenders, whose inspectors this week began their first visit to Athens since the government took office.

Athens, due to run out of cash in weeks without further aid, has already conceded that it has fallen behind agreed targets and euro zone officials have warned the country will get no further aid until it gets back on track with reforms.

Seeking to soothe some of those concerns, Stournaras said Greece was committed to carrying out an ambitious privatisation plan, albeit with a delay due the elections, as well as structural reforms including cutting red tape, liberalising the economy and improving efficiency in the justice system.

The privatisation agency will accept Greek government bonds as payment in a bid to encourage investment, he said.

“Privatisations are the main pillar of structural reforms and a central lever of growth for the economy through investments, and hence a top priority for the government.”

He also pledged to turn around the economy through use of EU funds and efforts to boost competitiveness. He also noted some initial signs of hope for Greece’s tottering banking system, confirming a “significant” return of deposits since the June 17 election.

Greeks had withdrawn billions of euros in the run-up to the vote on fears that a leftist victory would push the country of the euro zone.