June, 2006 - Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis expressed his optimism over the countrys economic prospects and stressed that the previous two years the government has introduced significant reforms in taxation, development, privatizations, cooperation between public and private sectors, combating bureaucracy, tax-evasion, promoting a digital age and reviewing a Third Community Support Framework program.

Addressing a meeting on a National Strategic Framework Benchmark, for the period 2007-2013, the Greek Μinιster said he expected a series of business programs, certified agencies and the operation of five wider regional programs to be agreed this summer.

Alogoskoufis said final decisions would be taken by an inner cabinet meeting and stressed that implementing a National Strategic Framework Benchmark, along with government-promoted reforms, could transform the country. "We must avoid mistakes made in the past," he said.

The Greek minister said the countrys per capita income (measured on purchasing power units) rose to 77.1 pct last year, from 75.4 pct in 2004 and was projected to reach 80 percent in 2007. He also stressed that comparisons of Greek figures should be made with the EU-15 member states and not with the EU-25.