Ahead of the Eurogroup meeting, the president of the Socialists and Democrats Group, Gianni Pittella, called on all actors to show a sense of responsibility in order to find a solution to the Greek request for an extension of the loan agreement.
S&D president Gianni Pittella also stated:
“Now is the time for all Europe’s leaders to shoulder their responsibilities. It is the time for Europe, for all member states, to find a reasonable compromise on the Greek request for an extension of the loan agreement. All actors involved should now demonstrate their genuine will to contribute to a positive outcome, instead of entrenching themselves behind a stubborn dogma. Failure to agree a compromise would be the worst thing we could do to the next generation of Europeans. It is not only Greece’s future which is at stake, but the pillars of the European Union project.
“Taking responsibility means reconsidering the position of inflexible adherence to the rigid austerity programme which has severely damaged the socio-economic situation in Greece. There must be a return to reality. Greece must accept the need to pay back its loan. But Athens must be given the opportunity to do so through agreement on a programme which revives the Greek economy and allows repayment at a sustainable pace.”