Dijsselbloem: The Greeks need to make new sacrifices

Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem insists on using harsh language when referring to Greece.

Speaking at a conference that the office of the European Commission organizes each year in Hague, he insisted on the need to promote structural changes in all Member-States spearheaded by the labour market to address the high unemployment in the European youth. 

Regarding Greece and answering questions of "Ta Nea" newspaper, Dijsselbloem said the Greek government should urgently implement its commitments and directly promote the necessary structural changes, which are considered a must in order to regain competitiveness and attract investments.

Referring to the negotiations with the Troika he said "the negotiations continue in Athens for the progress or rather the lack thereof of the country against its commitments. The evaluation process will be completed immediately. Many Eurozone finance ministers have begun to lose their patience."

He appeared particularly emphatic on Greece’s need to respect its commitments, noting that the agreed measures in the aid program are not "austerity measures. The approach of the Eurogroup on the issue of Greece is not austerity, but correction of budgetary imbalances and risks." He added that Europe will provide new aid to Greece after the end of the current program.

Concluding, he admitted that the country has already made significant efforts but stressed the need for "new sacrifices by the Greeks."
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http://www.protothema.gr/news-in-english/article/330285/dijsselbloem-the-greeks-need-to-make-new-sacrifices/