Dombrovskis told reporters that any negotiation between the Commission and Greece depended on a mandate from the Eurogroup.
He was speaking a day ahead of a special Eurogroup meeting on Greece, called by Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who several hours earlier had described the “no” vote as “very regrettable for the future of Greece”.
Dombrovskis repeated the European Commission’s earlier message, that it “takes note” of the referendum result.
He reiterated the Commission’s view that the referendum question had been neither factually nor legally correct, based as it was on an expired proposal by the EC from June 25.
Time and “too many” opportunities had been lost, Dombrovskis said, adding that the referendum result amounted to a rejection of reforms that had been proposed “to a large extent” by the Greek authorities themselves.
Europe had been at the side of the Greek people throughout the crisis and European taxpayers had offered unprecedented financial assistance, through the Greek Loan Facility and the European Financial Stability Facility.
But, Dombrovskis said, reforms that had been promised by Greece had been delayed or only partly carried out, with the result being a prolonged recession “and more difficult reforms to implement later”.
Greece had seen economic growth, increasing investments and job creation eight months ago, but the current Greek government had not used its extension to produce a credible strategy to exit the crisis and to return to financial stability and economic growth, Dombrovskis said.
He said that the meaning of the referendum on July 5 had been to “send a political signal to the rest of Europe”.
Responding to a question about whether the Greek situation could mean contagion elsewhere among the weaker members of the euro zone, Dombrovskis said that all the tools were available to ensure the financial stability of Europe and the EC was ready to use them if needed.
He noted that so far, the market reaction to the outcome of the Greek referendum had been “quite limited”.
“The stability of the euro area is not in question,” Dombrovskis said.
[sofiaglobe.com]
6/7/15
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Remarks by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the press conference following the referendum in Greece...
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon,
The European Commission takes note of the result of yesterday's referendum in Greece.
We respect the democratic choice of the Greek people.
The 'no' result unfortunately widens the gap between Greece and other Eurozone countries.
There is no easy way out of this crisis.Too much time and too many opportunities have been lost.
The Commission is ready to continue to work with Greece.
But to be clear, the Commission cannot negotiate a new programme without a mandate from the Eurogroup.
Yesterday's result signals a rejection of reforms proposed, to a large extent, by the Greek authorities themselves, and linked to a now-expired support programme for Greece.
Europe has been by the side of the Greek people throughout the crisis. European taxpayers have offered unprecedented financial assistance.
Since 2010, 184 billion euros have been disbursed from the Greek Loan Facility and the European Financial Stability Facility. They supported Greece to reform its economy so that it could stand proud and independent from outside help in the future.
But reforms were often delayed or implemented only partially, resulting in a prolonged recession and more difficult reforms to implement later.
However, only eight months ago, Greece was finally turning the page.
The economy was growing, investment started to pick up, and jobs were again being created. The country was looking towards a return to the markets and ending its bailout programme by the end of last year..................http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-15-5314_en.htm?locale=en
6/7/15