Commenting on the outcome of the recent Eurogroup meeting on the Greek bailout programme, the Co-Chairs of the European Green Party, Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said:
“The fact that the Eurogroup, under considerable pressure from the IMF, has agreed to some debt alleviation for Greece is welcome. It is a signal that can help strengthening trust in the development of the Greek economy.
“On the other hand, it remains counterproductive to demand, as the Eurogroup does, that the Greek Government guarantee a primary budget surplus of 3.5% of GDP. These demands will undercut the possible positive effect of debt reduction, suffocating turn-around efforts.
“It is deplorable that Germany and the Eurogroup are not listening to the IMF better in this regard. The Eurogroup policy towards Greece is still characterised by doing too little, too hesitantly, too late.
“Lastly, the Greek Government has to put more attention on fighting tax evasion and tax fraud. They have to do much better on that, budget-wise and to create a better social balance of policy.”
