Athens / Brussels – stand before tense hours for the newly elected Greek government and its European partners. Since Wednesday evening, the finance ministers of the euro group meet at a special meeting in Brussels. Theme is the debt dispute with Greece. On Thursday, the new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras then takes the first time at a summit meeting with the leaders of the EU part.
In Greece, meanwhile, thousands of people make it clear that they expect an end to the harsh austerity programs. Front of the parliament building in Athens participants called on Wednesday night clamoring an end to the policy that would lead to the “impoverishment” of the people and the migration of young people because of high unemployment. Also in other cities such as Thessaloniki and Patras, people took to the streets. Many of the protesters were supporters of the new government under Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. “We stand with our participation here in the government that fights for the rights of the people,” said one protester.However, Euro finance ministers adopted before the start of the crisis meeting in Brussels, the government in Athens little hope for major concessions. “I do not expect that we have any results today, but maybe we put a process in,” said German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble. On Monday, another meeting of the Euro group is then applied.
With the end of the austerity program and the expulsion of the inspectors of the troika, the government in Athens had already caused anger among EU partners. Euro Group CEO Jeroen Dijsselbloem said further grants to the heavily indebted country will give it only under strict conditions. Well first the Greek government must present their plans. Under what conditions further support the other euro countries are possible, “the subject of deliberations be” going. “I expect today no result,” Dijsselbloem added.
But even after the radical change of course in Athens Europeans want to keep Greece in the euro area. “We have the same goal – that Greece in the euro zone remains” EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said at the beginning of the discussions.
Finance Giani Varoufakis will explain at the emergency meeting in Brussels to his colleagues how he wants to pay off the Greek debt. The government of Prime Minister Tsipras scored in a voting trust of the Greek Parliament. Tsipras wants to end the debt and austerity and calls so that the EU and other donors out. On February 28, the age of Greek austerity program and bailout for Greece will close without a new agreement. Without further injections of Greece could go bankrupt.
advances from Beijing and Moscow
Tsipras receives encouragement from Moscow. If the economically ailing Greece in Russia ask for financial assistance, it would be examined, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with his Greek colleague Nikos Kotzias in Moscow. The new government in Athens has close relations with Russia.
From Beijing got Tsipras positive signals. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called Tsipras on Wednesday congratulated him on his election victory and invited him to visit, was reported from the Greek government. A day earlier, the Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos had declared that his country could turn to China, Russia or the USA, if there is no agreement in the debt dispute with the euro area countries.
fear of Grexit grows
When economists, however, grows according to a survey concern that Greece leaves the euro zone. In a survey conducted by Reuters, the probability of a Greek exit from the euro zone was rated at 25 percent. This is the highest value that was determined by Reuters on this subject so far. Even at the height of the debt crisis in 2011 and 2012 had always result in expectations of less than 25 per cent surveys of economists. The survey was part of 32 experts.
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