EU Summit/Greece
Agreement needs to include debt restructuring and investment plan
Ahead of tomorrow’s summit on Greece, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts cautiously welcomed news that the two sides are close to finding an agreement:
“After months of tensions and mutual accusations, there is now hope for a solution between Greece and the other euro area Member States. With the Greek government having made a new proposal, both sides must seize the moment and together draw up a workable, responsible solution at tomorrow’s summit. This is the biggest opportunity yet for finding a solution.
The governments of the other euro area Member States and the European Commission must now uphold their part of the bargain. They must agree to a restructuring of the Greek debt and for example, a lowering of the interest rates. Moreover, the repayments must be linked to Greece’s economic development. They should also launch an investment plan in order to support the Greek economy towards a sustainable recovery and help it withstand the negative repercussions of the budgetary consolidation measures agreed for 2015 and 2016.
In addition to this, the Greek government should, unlike its predecessors, ensure that the state institutions start functioning effectively again. Furthermore, the pension system must be made fairer and all Greek citizens must have a right to receive sickness or unemployment benefit."
