Eurogroup/Greece

Commenting on developments at today's emergency Eurogroup meeting and the announcement of Greek Prime Minister Tsipras to hold a referendum on whether or not to accept the latest terms posed by creditors, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts stated:

"Stopping the negotiations now is not a good idea and we urge all parties to do their utmost to prevent Greece defaulting on its loans.  

It is clear that the creditors bear their responsibility for the current situation and the surprising decision for the referendum. Nevertheless we remain convinced that for the Greek citizens as well as for the whole of EU, a reasonable compromise was and is necessary and feasible.

While the Greek government made major steps towards a compromise, putting forward proposals that went much further than anything proposed before, the lenders remained intransigent in their demands. Greece's creditors continue to demand measure which would not help the country's economic recovery. Greece instead needs a commitment for a restructuring of the debt as well as the rapid set-up of a major investment plan to counterbalance the recessionary and self-defeating austerity measures requested by the creditors."