The Minister, talking at a press conference at Zappeio where the EU Health Ministers’ Informal Meeting was taking place, referred to the 3863/2010 insurance law, to be put in effect as of 2015, and stressed there would be no “abrupt adjustments or shocks in the relations of pensioners with the insurance system”.

Regarding supplementary pensions and lump sum payments, he stated the readjustments that have been made were necessary and fair. He added that due to those changes, pensions and lump sum payments have been secured for future generations while insurance funds will no longer record deficits.

On unemployment, Mr. Vroutsis said there have been “clear indications of de-escalation” especially during the last four months. He appeared confident that unemployment would fall to 15.9 percent by 2018 from 25 percent in 2014, based on the provisions of the new Medium-term Framework of Fiscal Strategy 2015-2018.

The EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor referred to early retirement and said the Commission urged member-states to abolish any exceptions and increase age limits where necessary. He acknowledged, though, this process has taken more time than originally expected.