Commission defends Greek debt data after statistics scandal

The European Commission sent a letter to the Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on the 23 August 2016 calling for the Greek government to set the record straight and avoid misinterpretation regarding speculation that Andreas Georgiou, the former head of the Hellenic Statistical Authority [Elstat] had exaggerated Greece’s debt problems to help Greece’s creditors push through major reforms for Greece.

The Commission said that statistics submitted by Elstat between 2010 and 2015 were trustworthy, unlike those that had been submitted earlier when Greece had been seeking entry into the euro.

The Greek government replied that it was 'surprised' at the call from the European Commission for it to take a stance on a current judicial matter.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 24.08.16: EU backs Greek ex-data chief over criminal charges https://euobserver.com/economic/134739

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Kathimerini. 23.08.16: [Opinion]: An odious prosecution http://www.ekathimerini.com/211367/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/an-odious-prosecution

Greece: Hellenic Statistical Authority [Elstat] http://www.statistics.gr/en/home/

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Politico, 24.08.16: Greece ignores Commission on statistics dispute http://www.politico.eu/article/greece-ignores-commission-on-statistics-dispute/

Kathimerini, 25.08.16: EU urges Athens to publicly challenge impression deficit figures were manipulated http://www.ekathimerini.com/211452/article/ekathimerini/business/eu-urges-athens-to-publicly-challenge-impression-deficit-figures-were-manipulated

The Wall Street Journal, 24.08.16: Former Greek Statistics Chief Embattled at Home but Backed by EU http://www.wsj.com/articles/former-greek-statistics-chief-embattled-at-home-but-backed-by-eu-1472040781

Euro|Topics: Debates, August 2016: Is the EU meddling in the Athens statistics scandal? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/165050/is-the-eu-meddling-in-the-athens-statistics-scandal

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