MOSCOW, January 29 (Sputnik) – Members of the Eurozone will not accept Greece’s demands for debt-relief, the President of the European Commission told Le Figaro in an exclusive interview.
“There is no question about abolishing the Greek debt. Other Eurozone countries will not accept this,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), as quoted by Le Figaro.Faced with the change of power after the Sunday parliamentary elections in Greece, Juncker said that it is important to respect previous agreements between Greece and the EU. However, the president said that he is open to a dialogue with the new government in Greece. On Monday, Juncker had a phone conversation with Alexis Tsipras, the new Prime Minister of Greece.
“He [Tsipras] told me that he does not see himself as a threat to Europe, but as a challenge. To which I answered to him that Europe is not a threat to Greece either, but a challenge.” – Juncker told Le Figaro.
Poll
- Yes, the EU fears Greece will exit the eurozone, so SYRIZA holds the cards.56.8% (715)
- I don't believe in success of this particular party, but their victory marks the revival of Greece.20.0% (251)
- No, their promises to reduce austerity are utopian and will not be accepted by the 'Troika'.14.2% (178)
- No, nothing good has ever come from radicalism.9.0% (113)
The President of the European Commission also said that he sees Greece as a constructive player both within the Eurozone and the EU, Le Figaro reports.
Syriza emerged as a clear winner following the Sunday parliamentary elections in Greece. The party pledged to put an end to the widely unpopular austerity measures imposed by the troika of international creditors – the EC, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank. The new Greek government said they want to renegotiate the terms of Greece’s debt, worth 240 billion euros ($270 billion), the promise that has caused anxiety in Brussels.
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