(With photo) BRUSSELS, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Greek Prime Ministr Antonis Samaras Tuesday held seprate meetings with top European Union leaders to discuss plans for the EU presidency which Greece would assume from 1st January.
Samaras's meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Parliament Marticn Schulz and the President of the European Commission Jopse Manuel Barroso, touched upon developments in the Greek economy and the EU's financial assistance programme to Athens.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Barroso said "I assured Prime Minister Samaras of the Commission's support in the run-up to and during the Greek Presidency, in what will be the fifth time that Greece takes this very important leadership position.
"The Greek presidency will play an important role in ensuring that key legislative files are taken forward in the Council in the first crucial six months of 2014," he noted.
On his part, Samaras said "there is no more talk about the Greeks exit (from the euro) and our recovery is considered imminent from next year. Job creation and the return to long term sustainable growth is obviously our top priority. And Greece's come back will be signalled and underlined under the Greek Presidency." (end) nk.bs KUNA 172357 Sep 13NNNN