Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, has welcomed the appointment of Lucas Papademos as Prime Minister of Greece and the formation of the new interim government in Greece.

"This is good news for Greece and for Europe", said Chairman Daul. He hailed the decisive contribution of Nea Demokratia and its Leader Antonis Samaras to the formation of the government.

"Now the road is open for Greece to concentrate on combating the recession and putting the country back on the path to economic recovery, by implementing the measures and fulfilling the obligations necessary for the recovery of the economy."

For further information:

Joseph DAULMEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +32-2-2847525

Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290

Theodoros Georgitsopoulos, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-750566

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 264 Members.