The impressive improvement of Greece’s economy and the new role Greece plays as a force of stability and reforms were extolled by International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during her meeting with National Economy & Finance Minister and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis in Brussels on Wednesday.

Georgieva and Pierrakakis met on the occasion of the meeting of the Southeast Europe Regional Technical Assistance Center (SEETAC), IMF’s new Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southeastern Europe. Greece is participating as a founding partner. SEETAC will work with the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) as well as with Moldova, which aim to join the European Union. The Center will be based in Rome, act as a regional IMF office, and begin operations by January 2027.

On his side, Pierrakakis noted in his statements that “Greece confirms its leading role in Southeastern Europe.” Greece will contribute to SEETAC with 1 million euros annually for five years (a total of 5 million euros), he said. As the IMF head pointed out, Greece’s involvement is not solely financial, but relates mostly to technical know-how and knowledge acquired through the implementation of reforms, which led to sustainable fiscal surpluses and economic development rates, Pierrakakis added.

Greece’s leading role in the region is accompanied by a greater responsibility of contributing to the acceleration of convergence of countries in the region, boosting their resilience, and promoting greater prosperity for all, the FinMin said.