Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Finance Minister holds telephone conversation with New Democracy leader



















Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos and main opposition party leader Antonis Samaras had a telephone conversation on Tuesday morning. Sources close to the new FinMin note that the issue of national consensus wasn’t discussed. New Democracy leader has been updated about the developments at the Eurogroup meeting. 

Venizelos, in reply to press questions, said the two men discussed the government's Medium-Term fiscal programme, due to be voted in on parliament on June 28, and on the programme's application law.



To another question on whether the reference to national unity contained in the Eurogroup announcement after the Luxembourg meeting meant that the a condition for progress in the procedures was the opposition's positive vote for ratification of the Medium-Term Programme and its application law, Venizelos replied that this has not been placed as a condition, although it would be desirable for the government. 

Venizelos also said that Samaras told him  that he understands the need to comply with the time schedule agreed at the Eurogroup regarding the adoption of both medium-term program and explanatory law.