In his letter, Chrysogonos said that it was already clear that the Greek government was unable to fulfill its pre-election promises and that “charting a route that would led to a bust up with its lenders was not a viable option.”
“We must strive [to work] within the existing European and international (IMF) framework, like we promised the Greek people. The mandate from the people to the government was to negotiate hard, not declare bankruptcy and exit the eurozone and possibly the European Union,” Chrysogonos said in the letter.
Greece was among the countries hardest hit by the financial crisis of 2008-2009, owing billions to international creditors. On Saturday, the latest round of negotiations on Greece’s bailout between Athens and its lenders ended without any solution.
Athens announced a July 5 referendum for voters to decide whether to accept the new bailout deal offered by the creditors. If the sides fail to reach an agreement, Greece may default on its debt and be forced to exit the eurozone.
