Samaras says Ireland is model for Greek recovery

Ireland is a model for Greece on how to exit the crisis and return to the money markets, the Greek prime minister told Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Athens this morning,

"Ireland is showing the way and that there is an end to this road," Antonis Samaras, the conservative leader of Greece's three-way coalition, said this afternoon at a press conference following a meeting between the two leaders.

“After many reforms implemented by Enda Kenny’s government, Ireland shows us the way. We know that they are on the track to recovery and are almost ready to fully return to the international money markets,” Mr Samaras told the press conference, which was relayed live on Greek state television.

The Greek leader said improving competitiveness, opening up to investment and low tax rates would help Greece match Ireland’s success.

“All of these issues have helped Ireland exit the crisis … and we will follow suit as soon as we start exiting the crisis,” he said, adding that it was his aim to introduce a flat-rate tax of 15 per cent.

Opening his comments in Irish, the Taoiseach thanked his Greek counterpart for the invitation to visit Athens and said he was happy to be in “this historic city”.

Mr Samaras was “a voice of reality and progress “ at European Council meetings, in his efforts to overcome the crisis at a European level.

“I think it’s fair to say that your prime minister has changed the perception internationally of Greece and has brought a sense of stability and a sense of trust to Greek politics,” the Taoiseach said, adding that he wanted to “show respect for the work that he does but also to show solidarity with the Greek people”.

The two leaders also touched on the importance of the diaspora in developing the economy. Mr Kenny said he planned to brief Mr Samaras on the Gathering concept over lunch at the new Acropolis museum.

Mr Samaras, who turned 62 today, also commended Ireland’s presidency of the European Union and said he looked forward to taking up the baton from Lithuania, which assumes the role in July.