Stathakis: “We had the funds for the IMF loan payment, but…”

The Minister Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism Giorgos Stathakis told BBC Radio that Greece had the funds to pay the IMF loan payment that was due on the 5^th of June, but chose not to do so.

Mr. Stathakis stressed that while the Greek government wants to come to an agreement as soon as possible, it cannot accept the new proposals that were submitted by the creditors.

The Greek government’s decision to postpone the IMF payment has featured in the headlines of many international media outlets. The Guardian notes that Greece is one step before an exit and refuses to make the IMF payment due on Friday, in response to the calls for further austerity.

Similarly, the Financial Times reported that the Greek government is withholding the 300-million-euro loan payment as an act of resistance. It also reported that the last country to do so was Zambia and that the pressure on the Greek Prime Minister is mounting.