The first quarterly report of Commission's Task Force for Greece summit for approval to the Commission and the Greek Government focuses on finalising, with the Greek authorities, a comprehensive road-map of technical assistance. In a number of priority areas such as tax administration and administrative reform, the report shows how work is already moving into the implementation phase.

Commission's Task Force for Greece presented its first quarterly report on the requested support in organising the technical assistance that Greece needs to implement this change process and to accelerate the absorption of EU funds in support of growth and job creation. This support and commitment will need to be sustained over the duration of the adjustment process, as meaningful progress will require sustained ambition and commitment over a number of years and heavy investment of expertise in public sector reform.

In particular, the Task Force's first report sets out its work programme and first concrete achievements, notably in three priority areas, sustaining economic activity, ensuring efficient tax administration and sound public finance management, and improving the efficiency of public administration. Vice-President Olli Rehn, who supervises the work of the Task Force, underlined that the Task Force is a tool at the disposal of the Greek government. He reminded that its success depends on the determination of the Greek authorities to use it to support the transformation of the Greek economy.

The mandate of the Commission's Task Force is to identify and coordinate all the technical assistance Greece needs to deliver the EU/IMF adjustment programme and to accelerate the take-up of EU funds in Greece, targeting them on measures to boost economic growth, competitiveness, job creation and training. Commission agreed with the Greek authorities that it would be the best way to organise technical assistance for Greece. The Task Force for Greece commenced operations on 1 September 2011. The