Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras was optimistic about Greece’s economy following talks with the deputy head of the Hania Regional Authority Apostolos Voulgarakis and Hania Mayor Tassos Vamvoukas. He said that the local authorities play an important role in Greece’s fiscal adjustment. He said that the country was emerging from the crisis “step by step” while its efforts were acknowledged by its European partners. “This year, everyone is seeing the country emerge from six years of deep recession to the light. It is starting to recover. Unemployment has stabilised and is starting to go down. Fiscal targets are being achieved, competitiveness has been improved and a social dividend was handed out this year that was not included in the budget. A partial and significant restoration of the pay and pensions of the armed and security forces is beginning, the first important tax cuts have already been implemented,” he said, adding that we are now heading for a period of primary surpluses and sustainable economic growth. He stressed that plans for the “next day” must take into account existing European agencies since Greece needs a “safety net” bearing in mind the instability of the situation abroad.