Dijsselbloem: 'Geen' to Greek debt con'f; Varoufakis: Troika a rotten structure
Such a venue already exists: it’s called the Eurogroup, as you know.
The President of Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem and the Greek Finance Minister, Giannis Varoufakis,
proceeded to joint statements, after their meeting just moments ago.
Mr. Varoufakis welcomed the European Official “with great joy,”
declaring that this was only an introductory meeting. “We started a
first meeting process which will be the basis for a fruitful and
effective cooperation, as required in the interests of Greece, the
Eurozone and the European Union,” he added.
The
- See more at:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/01/30/greek-finmin-varoufakis-to-eurogroup-president-dijsselbloem-we-wont-cooperate-with-the-troika/#sthash.P38NVhJJ.dpufSuch a venue already exists: it’s called the Eurogroup, as you know.
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Dijessbloeam made the statement during a televised press briefing and after meeting with new Greek PM Alexis Tsipras and FinMin Yanis Varoufakis, who has emerged front and center as the SYRIZA government’s “point man” in looming deliberations with international creditors.
“With Greece nearing the end of the (bailout) program I had an important reach to come (to Athens),” the Dutch official said, while emphasizing that he arrived to hear the Greek side’s positions but at the same time to “explain” the conditions of signed agreements between Athens and its creditors.
Varoufakis repeated that the “state has continuity, but we will not accept a continuity of a self-fed crisis of deflation and a non-viable debt.”
The point where heads turned, however, came when the globe-trotting Greek-Australian economist said his government would not cooperate with a “structurally rotten committee (the troika) …”
A dispatch, sent by the Guardian’s long-time correspondent in Athens, Helena Smith, described the very moment.
She writes:
“…Send off for Joren Dijsselbloem ended with incredible stand-off as Varoufakis shocked him one over the troika. The Dutchman looked enraged, bending forward to whisper something in Varoufakis’ ear to which the Greek finance minister did not respond. Greek finance ministry staff standing behind me said ‘Oh my God.’ One said ‘I wonder if this is the time to pack my bags.’ Throughout the press conference you could almost feel the electric tension in the air.”
Dijssembloem was accompanied by the chief of the Euro Working Group, Thomas Wieser
Greek FinMin Varoufakis to Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem: We Won’t Cooperate with the Troika
- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/12/26/turkey-there-is-no-cyprus/#sthash.qO0n5pmS.dpufGreek FinMin Varoufakis to Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem: We Won’t Cooperate with the Troika
- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/12/26/turkey-there-is-no-cyprus/#sthash.qO0n5pmS.dpufGreek FinMin Varoufakis to Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem: We Won’t Cooperate with the Troika
- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/12/26/turkey-there-is-no-cyprus/#sthash.qO0n5pmS.dpuf
Greek
FinMin Varoufakis to Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem: We Won’t
Cooperate with the Troika - See more at:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/01/30/greek-finmin-varoufakis-to-eurogroup-president-dijsselbloem-we-wont-cooperate-with-the-troika/#sthash.dYPdn94J.dpuf
Greek FinMin Varoufakis to Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem: We Won’t Cooperate with the Troika
The President of Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem and the Greek Finance Minister, Giannis Varoufakis, proceeded to joint statements, after their meeting just moments ago. Mr. Varoufakis welcomed the European Official “with great joy,” declaring that this was only an introductory meeting. “We started a first meeting process which will be the basis for a fruitful and effective cooperation, as required in the interests of Greece, the Eurozone and the European Union,” he added.
The starter pleasantries, however, were
soon to be replaced by differing views in what is seen as the first
clash of the newly elected SYRIZA-led government with the European
partners.
The discussion ended on a good note with
the President of the Eurogroup stating: “We discussed the procedures of
the Eurozone putting particular emphasis on confidence that will lead to
a new agreement within the Eurozone. From my side, I referred
extensively to the Greek government’s priorities and the determination
with which we intend to proceed with necessary, deep reforms, which must
be made without fear and passion and restore the country’s
competitiveness,” Mr. Dijsselbloem stressed.
The new Greek Finance Minister explained
during the meeting that “the government’s guarantees for a balanced
budget with a small primary surplus in perpetuity. I clarified that the
State might have a continuity but we will not accept the
self-reinforcing crisis of deflation and debt.”
Moreover, Mr. Dijsselbloem characterized
the meeting as one of twofold purpose as it was made both “to hear the
new government’s intentions and to explain the requirements of our
agreements. We share mutual interests and both sides want Greece to
regain its financial independence.” Referring to the 2012 Eurogroup, its
President underlined that “it undertook a commitment to adequately
support Greece in order to regain access to the markets under the
condition it will meet its own commitments. Unilateral steps are not a
way of moving forward. There are still problems in Greece, the situation
did not change overnight.” At the same time, he expressed his
understanding that the Greek people suffered harsh measures and “it is
important for the new government not to waste this progress. “We expect
from the Greek government to define its position and move forward
together,” he concluded.
A few moments earlier, though, Mr.
Varoufakis said that the government dismisses the troika’s logic: “Our
first act as a government will not be the continuation of the program.
In a cooperative spirit we want to convince our partners that the public
interest will be served more efficiently with a new agreement,” he
said. This caused a reaction from the Eurogroup President, who
highlighted that the Greek program extension is due the end of February
“and we have not yet concluded if there will be an additional
extension,” while regarding the possibility of a conference on the debt
he clarified that there is one already; the Eurogroup.
The meeting between Varoufakis and
Dijsselbloem was preceded by the Eurogroup President’s visit to the
government headquarters, Maximos Mansion, where he had a brief tet-a-tet
with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.