BRUSSELS, January 5 (Sputnik) – Eurozone membership cannot be revoked, European Commission spokesperson for Jobs, Growth, Investment, EMU (Economic and Monetary Union) and the European Semester, Annika Breidthardt said Monday, commenting on Greece's possible exit from the eurozone.
"Euro membership is irrevocable," Breidthardt stated during a press briefing.
She refused to speculate on the forthcoming snap elections in Greece on January 25 which may determine whether the country intends to stay in the eurozone.
"We don't speculate. In fact, contrary to those speculations, let me remind you that on 1 January…we welcomed the 19th member to the eurozone," the spokesperson said.
She also noted that the European Commission expected the euro to grow as, having proved its resilience, it was "here to stay."
On January 1, Lithuania became the 19th EU member state to adopt the euro.
Alongside Lithuania, the eurozone includes Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
