Greece's membership in euro zone no longer in doubt

Greece's membership in the euro zone is no longer in doubt, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Pierre Moscovici stressed on Tuesday wrapping up a two-day visit in Athens.

"Greece needs the euro, and euro zone needs Greece," he stressed.

Moscovici held a series of meetings on Monday and Tuesday with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and cabinet ministers amid new scenarios in the international press over the threat of Greek exit from the euro zone in 2015 triggered by political instability.

Moscovici told reporters on Tuesday that Greece's position in the euro zone is no longer in doubt, clarifying an earlier remak that "it would be a pity for Greece to face a Grexit again, after the considerable work that has been done".

The presidential elections which start in the Greek parliament on December 17 could lead to early national elections in late January or early February if the conservative-led ruling coalition will not manage to persuade opposition MPs for consensus to elect former EU Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas as new head of state.

The prospect of political uncertainty, as it has happened in 2012, has alarmed state officials, analysts and entrepreneurs in Greece and abroad, as well as international financing markets.

The prospect of a new government led by Radical Left SYRIZA party which calls for a new writedown on the Greek sovereign debt has increased concern.

"We respect the democratic choices made by any country in Europe. We discuss with any government in Europe. But of course we also have our own preference and our own preference is the integrity of the euro zone, reform policies and confidence between Europe and the member states. And this is particularly true for Greece," Moscovici said on Tuesday.

Greece nears the finish line of a harsh austerity and reform program introduced in May 2010 under bailout deals with international lenders in exchange of multi-billion rescue loans to stave off default and restore growth.

With the last review of the Greek program by EU/International Monetary Fund lenders pending - as well as an agreement on the terms of the post-bailout Athens' relationship with creditors and the much-debated precautionary credit line - the bleary image has caused concern.

Moscovici stressed that the Commission is committed to further supporting Greece in the implementation of the necessary reforms.

Greeks' efforts have started to bear fruits, it is time to proceed in the next phase, the French official said, noting that if everything goes smoothly troika will leave Greece by late February.

Moscovici added that troika's assessment of the Greek program should be completed as soon as possible.

Earlier Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis had said that Athens works hard to ensure that the inspection is completed by the Eurogroup meeting of January 26, as chief inspectors are expected to return to Greece in early January.