Troika and Greece closer to agreement for the next tranche
On 17 October, Troika issued a statement regarding the revision of the Greek programme. “During the visit, the EC/ECB/IMF staff teams and the authorities had comprehensive and productive discussions on the policies needed to restore growth, employment and competitiveness, secure fiscal sustainability in a socially balanced manner, and strengthen the financial system,” statement says.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, expressed his confidence that his country met the Troika conditions for receiving the tranche. In European’s People Party (EPP) conference Samaras said, “Greece’s economy is radically changing its structural characteristics, the failed programme is back on track and Greece transforms into a historical example of success.”
On the other hand, the leader of Radical Left Coalition (Syriza) Alexis Tsipras said, “the new measures are a neoliberal schizophrenic crescendo full of dogmatism by the side of Troika.” In his speech in Giannena (Greece) Tsipras emphasised, “our country needs to restore its democracy and people’s national sovereignty. They have transformed us into a debt colony.”
According to Deutsche Welle, if Greece doesn’t take the fresh bailout money it risks defaulting on its loans and possibly exiting the Eurozone.
However, French President, François Hollande reassured that Greece is going to stay in the Eurozone. In his interview with six European newspapers French leader said, “We are near, very near, to an end to the eurozone crisis…Firstly that means resolving definitively the situation of Greece, which has made so many efforts and must be assured of remaining in the eurozone.”
Moreover, Hollande underlined once more that he favours a partial pooling of debt through Eurobonds, stressing the need for Franco-German agreement. As he mentioned, the collaboration between the two countries “can be the brake if it’s not in step,” for EU future. from new europe on line
Comments