“The National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) is not only numbers, it is mainly people, it is the basis for a better future,” Hatzidakis stressed and went on to add that “The NSRF covers 16,500 investment projects of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and 18,000 technical projects. It has built or renovated 450 kindergartens… it has covered the health expenses of 42,500 citizens”.

Hatzidakis underlined that Greece ranks 3rd in the absorption of funds in Europe and 1st in the absorption of the regional development programme funds.

The Development minister also said that emphasis will be given on restoring competitiveness and addressing the problem of social cohesion. For this purpose, the funds will reach 3.4 billion euros.

On his part, Vroutsis said that a long, painful fiscal adjustment cycle has come to its end and investor confidence is restored while unemployment seems to be declining. Arvanitopoulos referred to the cooperation between the Education and Labour ministries and stressed the need to connect education with the labour market.