Greece's budget surplus exceeds 700 million euros

The primary budget surplus of Greece amounted to 707 million euros in the first half of the year, exceeding the target level by 70 million euros.

In the same period last year, Greece had a primary deficit of 1,5 billion euros, according to the Ministry of Finance of Greece, as reported by the Athens daily "Kathimerini".

The primary surplus is the budget surplus corrected for the amount of net interest. The budget deficit for the six months ending in June was reduced to 2,41 billion euros from 4,99 billion euros in the same period last year, compared to the official deficit target of 3,85 billion euros.

At the same time, state net revenues amounted to 23,61 billion euros, one percent above the revised target, while state spending amounted to 26,03 billion euros, 1,19 billion below the expected level.

Official data in Athens also showed that Greece recorded a current account deficit of 246 million euros in May, compared to a surplus of 70 million in May 2013. Tourism receipts rose to 1,07 billion from 1,06 billion in May. euros from the same month last year.