ATHENS – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the upcoming end of Greece’s enhanced economic surveillance by European institutions in a statement on Thursday evening.

Earlier, the Eurogroup ministers welcomed the European Commission’s intention not to prolong enhanced surveillance after its expiration on 20 August 2022, “given the successful delivery of the bulk of Greece’s policy commitments,” as they said following the meeting.

In welcoming the decision, Mitsotakis called the milestone “an important national success” for Greece and Greeks, adding that “with the Eurogroup’s seal of approval, our economy is now freed from the regime of enhanced surveillance.” The premier pointed out that “a painful cycle that began 12 years ago is now closing, while a new era for independent choices is opening up for the country’s development and the well-being of its citizens.”

He emphasized that “after the lifting of capital control restrictions and the repayment of IMF loans, the third goal set by the government from the very start is achieved: restoring the country’s investment-grade rating that unlocks even more opportunities for everyone’s prosperity.”

The Greek prime minister concluded that “Greece is no longer the Europe’s ‘black sheep’, but a reliable partner, a country that does not accept instructions from others but joins in shaping developments.”