Budget surplus possible for Greece

Greece can achieve a primary budget surplus this year — and growth in 2014 — if it sticks to economic reforms, but a return to bond markets will be challenging, European Central Bank executive board member Joerg Asmussen said in a newspaper interview yesterday.

Mr Asmussen was in Athens this week to meet senior government officials and take stock of the economy. His visit was overshadowed by speculation of a new bailout for Greece after comments by German finance minister Wolfgang Schaueble.

“Having a low but positive rate of growth next year is achievable, but there must be persistence with reforms,” Mr Asmussen told Greek newspaper Vima.