The certainty that Greece's economy is strong and that its growth rate is the best in Europe based on present data, was expressed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis in the pre agenda discussion at the Parliament on the government's financial policy. Mr. Simitis pointed out that the above was ascertained by international organizations observing Greece's progress.

The Prime Minister also gave his assurance that Greece's economic development will not decelerated by the 2004 Olympic Games, and he mentioned the way growth is expressed through investments in salaries, pensions, education, health and other works. He also mentioned the drop in the GDP and made mention of an impressive fiscal reform in Greece over the past decade. During his speech the Prime Minister also mentioned the drop in inflation, pointing out that in 1991 it was 14% away from the EU average, while today it is 1.3%. In ending, he also referred to the issue of new jobs, stressing that unemployment dropped by 3%.