“Greece is currently in a state of emergency, but has reasons to hope as there were prospects of a new growth. In difficult conditions, it has taken the right choice and makes hard efforts with meaning, while Greece also has to safeguard its role in the Eurozone,” EU Commissioner for Single Market Affairs Michel Barnier underlined here on Friday.
Speaking to reporters during a news conference after completing a two-day visit to Athens, Barnier was adamant that he did not believe there was a possibility of Greece leaving the Eurozone, and noted that such a question was not even update.
“European states have shown their fraternity and markets must not underestimate this message” along the emphasis given by EU to “governance, supervision and coordination,” the Commissioner said.
Barnier praised Greece’s "great determination" to integrating European legislation and stressed he was satisfied with the integration times although he stressed that greater attention should be shown towards “the quality of integration”.
Commenting over the possibility of consolidation in the Greek banking sector, Barnier said “the Commission is not offering instructions to all sectors”, while he noted that “Greek banks were in a very good shape, particularly with their equity capitals. If they would proceed with restructuring or mergers, it would be their own decision”.
The French Commissioner noted that “Greece has real advantages - in agriculture, tourism and shipping - through an open type economy”. He also praised the role of the Greek government in carrying out a very difficult task.
ANA
