Juncker: "We have no right to cause a humanitarian crisis in Greece”

In his interview, Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his belief that a rigorous budget should continue to apply to Greece and should definitely be implemented in order for the country to improve its competitiveness.

He admitted that living conditions for citizens with low incomes are becoming more difficult, saying that “we do not have the right to cause a humanitarian crisis in Greece”.

When asked on the renegotiation of the memorandum, Jean-Claude Juncker merely answered the there should definitely be consultations between the Greek and European authorities. “I cannot predict what will emerge from these talks. But I am in constant contact with the Greek PM and these ideas will come”, stated the head of the Eurogroup.

Finally, when responding on whether the Italian-Spanish solution on bank recapitalization can be implemented in Greece, his view was negative, saying that our country has joined a Memorandum, but if Greece finds itself in a similar position to that of Italy and Spain, then the solution could be applied to Greece.

The interview:

- Can the decision of the Summit for Spain and Italy regarding the recapitalization of banks also apply to Greece?

“The special parts of the program we decided on for Spain and Italy differ from Greece, which is a country that has been included in a Memorandum, while Spain and Italy meet the conditions set for fiscal consolidation and a priori, the Italian-Spanish solution cannot be implemented in Greece”.

- However, the phrase “in similar cases” leaves no room to implement it in Greece?

“If Greece can be found in a similar position to that of Italy and Spain, then of course the solution could be applied to Greece”.

- Greek citizens wonder, however, if this austerity program will come to an end at some point.

“I believe that the strictness in the budget should continue to apply to Greece, because Greece should definitely consolidate its public finances, improve competitiveness and its weaknesses. This means - and I say this without forgetting the living conditions of those of low income, which are rapidly becoming harder and harder - that all Europeans should remember that situation. We have no right to cause a humanitarian crisis in Greece”.

- We have a new government; is the Memorandum renegotiable?

“There will definitely be discussions between the Greek and European authorities. I cannot predict the outcome that would emerge from these talks. But I am in constant contact with the Greek PM and these ideas will be tabled”.