The chief of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has stressed that Greece must respect Europe and ruled out the possibility of a debt write off, because the other Eurozone members would not accept it.
Mr. Juncker, who spoke to Le Figaro, argues that while he respects the electoral outcome in Greece, the new government must respect its European partners. Nevertheless, he conceded, certain reforms, which do not fundamentally alter the agreements, could be possible.
Furthermore, Mr. Juncker noted that he spoke to PM Alexis Tsipras on Monday, who informed him that he does not consider himself a danger to Europe, but rather a challenge. Mr. Juncker countered that Europe too was not a “danger” for Greece, but a challenge.
When Mr. Tsipras told him that Greece will not accept any more austerity, Mr. Juncker argued taht the other Eurozone countries will not provide any further funding if Greece does not implement its agreements and expressed his hope that Greece adopts a more “constructive” attitude towards the Eurozone.
He also stressed that he wants to avoid a mutually-destructive clash with Greece and its parteners, but that he also wants to put an end to the country’s “policy of subordination”.
