GREECE’S economy is on track to emerge from a six-year recession this year and grow by 2.9 per cent in 2015, Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras claimed yesterday.

However, he admitted that unemployment is likely to remain high.

The minister’s claim of improved growth, in a draft budget to parliament that envisages tax cuts and modest growth of 0.6 per cent for this year, may be coloured by the threat of an early general election.

“The country is entering a long period of sustained economic growth rates and primary surpluses that will bring growth in employment, reducing unemployment and improving living standards for all citizens,” Mr Staikouras declared.

“This is the result of unprecedented sacrifices made by Greek society, households and businesses. These sacrifices must not be wasted.”

Mr Staikouras said that the government is committed to reducing emergency taxes, including the deeply unpopular “solidarity charge,” but he admitted that unemployment continues at 27 per cent.