The Alternate Minister of Finance Giorgos Houliarakis has announced that about 5.5 billion euros worth of state debts will gradually be paid off within the next 18 months.

According to the ministerial decision signed by Mr. Houliarakis, the central and general government debts towards third parties will be paid off by the end of 2017.

The Naftemporiki newspaper claims that the Ministry of Finance intends to set aside 3.5 billion in 2016 and a further 2 billion euros in 2017 for debts generated by ministries, hospitals, pension funds, local government and other public bodies.