Athens - SPA
Greece's finance ministry said Tuesday that it is on target to achieve a primary budget surplus in 2013, a key requirement set in the country's bailout agreements.
Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said the overall government's primary surplus - which does not count the cost of paying interest on existing debt - is expected to be 812 million euros ($1.1 billion).
"After many years, and with massive sacrifices made by Greek society, the country has achieved a primary surplus," AP quoted Staikouras as saying.
"This is a very important result that was achieved by meeting targets in revenues and exceeding them in terms of expenditures."