Greek premier says economy expected to expand in third quarter for the first time in 8 years

ATHENS, Greece – Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says the country's economy is expected to expand in the third quarter for the first time in eight years.

In a speech Saturday in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, Samaras also promised a 30 percent reduction in the taxation of heating oil, reversing a measure imposed in 2012 which failed to bring added revenue and adversely affected the environment.

Samaras was speaking at the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair, a traditional venue for Greek leaders to announce the coming year's economic policy.

The Greek premier also hailed what he said was a success in reforming health, social security and education by cutting excessive spending and combatting fraud.