By Angelika Papamiltiadou
ATHENS (MNI) – Greece’s Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said
late Wednesday the country has “fulfilled all necessary requirements
asked by the Eurogroup”, and he expressed optimism eurozone finance
ministers will approve an agreement with private creditors at their
scheduled meeting Monday.
Speaking to reporters after the three-hour teleconference of the
Eurogroup, Venizelos said “the political commitments by the two party
leaders supporting the coalition government have been given, the letters
of intent have been sent and the Greek parliament has already approved
the new austerity plan by a two thirds majority.
“This is of great importance and it gives a credible answer to
those within Europe who question our competence and ability to implement
the new program after the national elections”.
Venizelos added that during the teleconference he presented a
report for the 325 million euros worth of new measures that had remained
undetermined since last week.
He emphasized that his counterparts also raised the issue of the
political and social uncertainty in Greece and whether the new
parliament to be formed after the national elections, expected in April,
will be willing to enforce the new lending agreement.
He told the Eurogroup that the two main parties, the conservative
New Democracy and the socialist PASOK, already had given the necessary
support, he said.
Earlier, government officials leaked to reporters that the Finland
and the Netherlands finance ministers have asked for signed letters by
all political parties in Greece, including the leftist which have been
opposing all austerity packages.
That proposal was rejected in the conference, the officials said,
as it would have been impossible to get consent from the leftist
parties, plunging thus Greece into greater uncertainty.
–email: a_papamiltiadou@hotmail.com
** Market News International – Athens **
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