Finance Minister and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis is traveling to Brussels, where he will hold meetings with top international and European officials on issues of economics, security and strategic cooperation. During his meeting with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Kyriakos Pierrakakis will officially announce Greece’s participation in the IMF’s new Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southeast Europe (SEETAC).
Greece’s participation in SEETAC, with a total contribution of 5 million euros, strengthens the country’s strategic role in Southeast Europe and confirms its commitment to actively contribute to stability, reforms and economic convergence of the broader region with the European Union.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis: The meeting with Mark Rutte
Through its participation in the Center’s governance mechanisms, Greece gains an active institutional role in shaping technical assistance priorities for the Western Balkans countries and Moldova, providing practical support for their European perspective.
The initiative has particular significance for another reason as well. Greece, which just a few years ago was in an IMF program and was a recipient of international support, now participates as a donor country in a significant development initiative of the Fund, actively contributing to strengthening institutions and reforms in its broader neighborhood.
Mr. Pierrakakis will also meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The discussion will focus on the economic aspects of European defense policy, given the escape clause that provides member states with additional fiscal space for investments in security and defense. They will also discuss broader geopolitical developments and challenges facing the European economy in an environment of increased international uncertainty.
