Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will travel in Athens today in order to meet with Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
According to Government sources, the Mexican economist and diplomat will be asked by the Greek FinMin to offer his expertise on debt restructuring as well as his insight on the 10 reforms the Government intends to propose, to replace 30% of the “harsh” austerity measures included in Greece’s bailout agreement.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who wants the Mexican economist to “discuss with the economic team the government’s proposals over radical reforms, to offer his good services on the issue and to express his experience of maximum public debt renegotiation practices as Finance minister of Mexico,” as mentioned in a government’s announcement.
The OECD chief will dine on Tuesday evening with FinMin Varoufakis, shortly before the latter’s departure from Greece to attend the extraordinary Eurogroup meeting on the debt issue.
The Mexican economist will also meet with Greek PM Tsipras on Wednesday, only a day ahead of the critical summit on February 12, where Alexis Tsipras will have its first official vis-à-vis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders.
It should be noted that the visit of the OECD chief comes at the wake of the unveiling of the organizations ‘Going for Growth 2015’ report on Monday. The report contains made recommendations for reforms in five key areas to boost growth in Greece.
According to the report, the top five priorities for the Greek government must be:
-Enhancing the efficiency of labor market policies and the social safety net as a means to reduce unemployment
-Removing remaining regulatory barriers to competition
-Improving the quality and efficiency of the education system
-Improving the efficiency of public administration
-Boosting the efficiency of the tax system to reduce tax evasion.
