Chancellor Merkel: Greece Should Focus on Implementation of the Eurogroup Agreement
What comes first for Greece is the implementation of the Eurogroup agreement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here on Wednesday in a joint press conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after their meeting at the European Commission's headquarters.
On whether Germany is ready to negotiate a new financial bailout for Greece in the summer, Merkel said that what comes first is the implementation of the Eurogroup agreement. She pointed out that every possible effort is being made for the successful conclusion of the second financial assistance to Greece and added that the three institutions will review the implementation of everything that was agreed.
Chancellor Merkel insisted that there is still a lot left to be done before the successful conclusion of the Greek programme and reminded that the Bundestag has approved the extension of the Greek programme with an overwhelming majority.
On his part, Juncker said that it is premature to speculate about a third programme for Greece, adding that all efforts focus on the implementation of the Eurogroup agreement. He also noted that over the next few months, Greece should not make unilateral decisions and pointed out that the social relief measures adopted will have to be accompanied by equivalent measures.