Neither Greece nor Europe can tolerate a new phase of uncertainty

Greece wants to achieve a “political solution” on the whole package of measures negotiated with its lenders at the Eurogroup on February 20, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said on Monday 13.2.2017, speaking at an interview with ANT1 TV station. He also said EU financial affairs chief Pierre Moscovici and Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem are “sincerely trying to contribute” to a comprehensive solution for the country.

Neither Greece nor Europe can tolerate a new phase of uncertainty and renewed crisis, State minister and government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos stressed on Monday. The government’s strongest argument in the negotiations was reality itself and the performance of the Greek economy, Tzanakopoulos said. The IMF and its constant ambivalence and indecision were “exclusively responsible” for the delay, Tzanakopoulos mentioned, expressing his conviction that there will not be a rekindling of an “artificial crisis,” in spite of the German finance minister’s “best efforts in this direction.”

Pierre Moscovici to visit Athens

There is a window of opportunity for Greece to achieve an agreement with its creditors, EU Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici told Euronews’ Greek service in Brussels (13.2.2017), following the presentation of the European Commission’s winter forecasts for the period 2016-2018. “Just as Greek authorities are assuming their responsibilities […] Greece’s partners must also assume theirs,” he said. “Greece is on the way to huge progress first growth, Greece has returned to growth in 2016 and we project very solid growth in 2017 2,7 percent and 2018 3 percent which should put Greece among leaders of growth in Europe and that’s why I still consider that we need and we can close the second review soon”, Moscovici stressed.

The initiative of EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici to visit Athens in the aftermath of the European Commission’s estimates that are in full contrast to the pessimistic estimates of the IMF is a positive act government sources said to the Athens News Agency.