ELSTAT Responds to Yannitsis Article on 'Greek Statistics'

The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) has responded to an article by Tassos Yannitsis regarding national accounts and the course of the Greek economy. In a statement, ELSTAT refers to 'untrue assumptions and incorrect conclusions' in Mr. Yannitsis' article.

ELSTAT argues that Mr. Yannitsis' analysis 'ignores the European framework, the estimation cycle, the role of inventories, and quality controls.' It points out that ELSTAT applies uniform methods, transmits and publishes data after validation, and is systematically audited.

The statement emphasizes that Tassos Yannitsis served as a minister during periods when Greece's GDP was compiled within the same European framework. ELSTAT expresses surprise that Mr. Yannitsis chose to comment on a technical issue without asking ELSTAT for clarifications.

ELSTAT states that criticism is welcome but must be based on true technical assumptions. Otherwise, it is either a mistake due to ignorance or a deliberate attempt at defamation.

ELSTAT's statement concludes that the publication creates noise with false data and on the basis of untrue assumptions, and that public discussion about the economy is useful when based on data.