Mr Staikouras, a former analyst at the Bank of England, said: “We expect that there will be changes and amendments, taking the lessons from the pandemic and the eurozone debt crisis.

“They have to ensure fiscal sustainability and credibility but on a realistic basis without jeopardising economic growth. Debt reduction should be gradual, sustained and realistic, with a greater sense of national ownership.”

Many countries in southern Europe have complained that the current rules – which limit public debt to 60pc of GDP and prevent deficits higher than 3pc – do not allow them to invest to spur growth and cut emissions.

The debt rules under the Stability and Growth Pact have been suspended until 2023 because of the pandemic.

Many southern countries, including France and Italy, believe that bringing them back is unfeasible after the surge in government debt and need for public investment in the climate transition.

Mr Staikouras has been encouraged by initial signs from Olaf Scholz’s new German government, which will be a key power broker in talks.

He said: “According to the coalition statement released recently in Germany, it seems there is room for manoeuvre regarding the European fiscal rules.”

The pandemic set back the Greek economy’s recovery, with output still well below levels from before the debt crisis, although GDP bounced back strongly from the pandemic in 2021.

Mr Staikouras expects “high and sustainable growth” from 2022 as his pro-business reforms begin to bear fruit and attract foreign investment.

European Commission forecasts suggest investment will rise by up to 16pc in coming years compared to an average of only 5pc for member countries.

He said: “In the following couple of years, it seems that we will manage to significantly close the investment gap that was created the previous decade.

“We have already attracted significant global names like Microsoft, Pfizer, Cisco, Deloitte and Volkswagen.”