The chief of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem argued that Greek debt is “not a taboo subject “, but underlined that the current support program must first be completed, in an interview for French daily Le Monde.
According to the Dutch Finance Minister, there is a relationship between the primary surplus that Greece must achieve this year, the structural reforms which are at the heart of the negotiations and the long-term sustainability of the national debt. He added that in November 2012 the Eurogroup pledged that if Greece completes the program, but the debt is not considered sustainable, it would take further measures.
Mr. Dijsselbloem stressed that debt relief is not a taboo, but noted that writing off the nominal vale of the loan is politically impossible. This discussion, however, will only begin once the second bailout program concludes, he added. When asked when the talks with Greece will end, Mr. Dijsselbloem responded that politically speaking the only deadline for Greece is at the end of June, when the second bailout program is set to conclude.
