ATHENS — "The OECD mission is now becoming more complex, as the latest global financial crisis was followed by the coronavirus pandemic and its multifaceted consequences," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday in joint statements following his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Matthias Cormann.

"It simply could not be a return to pre-covid situation. Global recovery must be combined with reducing inequality and increasing solidarity with the primary goal of global vaccination. And of course by stimulating work in all countries and tackling the global challenge of climate change," he added.

He also spoke of a "huge step towards a new structure in taxation that was achieved just yesterday", explaining that "Greece supported it from the beginning as a condition for sustainable development is to remain part of the wealth in the countries produced. This is a victory for Economic Diplomacy and the vision of a more balanced development that has involved more than 130 countries," he said.

On his part, Cormann said: "The OECD has a very good cooperation with the Greek government. We are impressed with the results of the reforms. We are very optimistic about the course of the Greek economy."

"We believe that the Greek government has done a very good job," he said, referring to the "profound transformation of the Greek economy into a modern, digital, green economy that will give people many opportunities in the years to come."

Cormann also stressed the importance of the recovery after the pandemic urging as many people as possible to be vaccinated. "You have done an excellent job in this here in Greece," he added.