BRUSSELS (MNI) – Eurozone finance ministers had “absolutely no
discussion” of a Greek exit from the euro area, Eurogroup President
Jean-Claude Juncker said here late Monday.
Speaking at a press conference following the Eurogroup’s night time
meeting, Juncker characterized the public talk and opinion-mongering on
the subject of a Greek euro exit as “propaganda.” Taking aim at some of
his European colleagues, he added that he disliked politicians who
publicly threaten Greece.
Juncker’s criticism follows comments in recent days by prominent
European officials, including German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble
and several European Central Bank Governing Council members, to the
effect that the Eurozone could withstand Greece’s departure.
Various Greek politicians have also been playing with this scenario
in the past few days in an effort to gain support and form a coalition
government. The leaders of conservative New Democracy, Socialist PASOK
and the moderate left-wing Democratic Left have all spoken in dramatic
terms and painted dire scenarios in the event Greece heads to new
elections.
Juncker said, “the democratic process in Greece should now run its
course. Now we are waiting for a new government to take swift control,
get a parliamentary majority and continue the [austerity and reform]
program.”
He reminded that “the EU has provided significant assistance for
Greece,” showing its solidarity with the indebted country by providing
E148 billion in aid up until now.
“The [euro area] member states remain committed and have shown
their solidarity via the release of [most of] the outstanding amount of
E5.2 billion euros,” the Eurogroup chief said. “The remaining E1 billion
will be disbursed before the end of June,” he added, noting that the
[EMU] member states were “fully aware of the efforts of the Greek
citizens.”
However, Juncker pushed for quick implementation of much needed
structural reforms, which he characterized as “the guarantee for a more
prosperous future.”
“Our unshakable desire is to keep Greece in euro. The exit is not a
subject. Absolutely no one agrees to it. We will do everything in our
power to keep Greece in the euro,” Juncker said.
He also laid down two pre-conditions before the EU could discuss a
possible extension of the fiscal consolidation period for Greece. The
first, he said, is to have a government that will commit to what has
been agreed so far, and the second is to have exceptional circumstances.
“I said we wouldn’t exclude it. I didn’t say we intend to” do it,
Juncker explained when asked to clarify a statement he had made over the
weekend to German news agency DPA.
“We didn’t discuss the issue today because the two preconditions
are not there.”
For his part, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli
Rehn echoed Juncker’s solidarity pledge to Greece, saying “it is clear
we want Greece in the Eurozone.” He warned, however, that the troubled
country must work towards sound finances and continue fiscal adjustment.
“Solidarity is a two-way street,” he said.
“Without the Greek commitment, the solidarity factor will not
work,” Rehn said.
He renewed the pressure on Greek authorities, saying that the
politicians in Athens are responsible for making this commitment.
“We could say that the future is in the hands of the politicians to
keep this solidarity,” Rehn said.
Meanwhile, in Athens, Greek president Karolos Papoulias was holding
meetings with political party leaders late Monday night in an effort to
reach a mutual agreement on a unity government with the participation of
technocrats.
The talks will continue tomorrow and some government officials
insist there is still hope for a consensus.
–Brussels Newsroom, a_papamiltiadou@hotmail.com
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