Brussels, February 16 (EFE) .- Germany and Austria were adamant Greece today, considering that has not changed at all its negotiating position, while France and other partners and the European Commission (EC) advocate before the Eurogroup for an extension of the bailout program between two and six months.
On arrival at the meeting of finance ministers of the nineteen countries that share the euro, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, said today that “the Greek Executive apparently has not moved one iota” from its position in recent days.
“That’s no longer a matter of negotiations, but a decision has to take Greece on what you really want to do “and” the way he wants to go to regain market confidence at some point, “said Schäuble.
” No I have to think at all options but that in late February expire program (Greek rescue) and it must be fulfilled. If it’s a matter of time and you want to accomplish, then we can think about what we could do, “he said.
But” if the Greek government does not want even a program then not have to think about options ” he settled.
The Austrian Finance Minister Hans-Jörg Schelling said that to reach an agreement with Athens must take into account two key dates, one of which is the dissolution of the Finnish Parliament elections in April.
“If there is no answer until then I understand that Parliament can only make decisions back in May and it is too late,” he said.
recalled that the February 24 Greece must return a portion of the bailout, which shows the urgency of reaching a decision.
For Schelling, there are three conditions for Greece from the eurozone, starting with ” not to speak of a new program without the actual finished “.
” When in private life one can not repay a loan, you do not go to the bank to insult the principal and dictate the terms ” . He criticized the Austrian
On the other hand, on the reduction of the primary surplus (excluding interest payments) commented: “It is not a question of whether we want it or not, but whether sustainability is still guaranteed debt “.
Third, reiterated that” a haircut as he wants Greece is not acceptable to Member States “.
For the French finance minister, Michel Sapin an extension of the current program in conditions that are respectful of the new Greek government would be “a good solution, which allows both have security and the time to discuss a new agenda”.
As for if today will be possible to reach an agreement in the Eurogroup meeting, the French owner said they “expect”.
The Vice President of the EC to the Euro and the Social Dialogue, Valdis Dombrovskis, said that to the agency, “the most realistic way is an extension of the current program” from “a couple and six months” because allow time to negotiate but admitted that “flexibility is limited.”
The Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan, also felt that an extension of the current program is the most immediate way to make progress and did not rule then a new one is negotiated around mid summer.
If an agreement is not reached today, Noonan did not rule out that there may be a new Eurogroup meeting on Friday, although other sources said it could be Thursday. EFE
cae-mtm / emm / ha
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