President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Tuesday met main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras. Welcoming him at the Presidential Mansion he quoted a phrase by ancient Greek historian Thucydides saying that "opportunities cannot wait".
Samaras referred to the dreary atmosphere created by the state of the economy, insecurity, increased crime and illegal migration and underlined that "the question is to find the right solution".
The ND leader characterized the economic policy followed by the government an "exercise in futility", adding that while he agrees with the goals set aimed at reducing the debt and the deficit, he will not offer his support to a recipe that has been proven wrong.
"Now things are going backwards," he said, adding that "in 2010 the deficit was 10% and even Europe can see that the deficit will remain stuck at 10% in 2011 and 2012 in spite of the sacrifices. This is an exercise in futility."
He stressed that "there is an agreement with Europe aimed at reducing both the deficit and the debt and we say 'yes' to it. However, we say 'no' to a recipe that has been proven wrong. For example, if a measure is good for the country, regardless of who has suggested it, we have an obligation to support it. On the contrary, we have no obligation to give our support to a bad measure."
The meeting with President Papoulias lasted 40 minutes during which Samaras briefed him on his "Zappeion 2" proposal that will lead the country out of the crisis, pointing out that he referred to its advantages.
ANA
