| EU-IMF expresses regret on misunderstandings by Greek side |
| Date: 2011/2/14 Click: 1949 |
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We regret any misunderstandings over our role regarding Greek efforts to address the debt crisis, said a joint statement of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) released on Sunday.
"It is regrettable if a different impression was perceived at any time. We recognize the difficult challenges facing the Greek economy and we have the deepest respect for the tremendous efforts being made by the Greek people. We continue to support those efforts," said the statement.
It is the official response to the fierce complaints of the Greek government on Saturday over the "unacceptable" behavior of EU-IMF auditors of the Greek economic program to exit the crisis.
During a press conference in Athens on Friday inspectors suggested the implementation of structural reforms in the public sector at a faster pace and a wider privatization program of state-controlled companies and real estate properties which caused strong reactions in Athens.
Greek Premier George Papandreou held a round of telephone discussions with IMF and EU
Speaking to Greek television channel MEGA, Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said that he had discussed with auditors the privatization plan, but had not agreed on the 50 billion euro (67.6 billion U.S. dollars) target they announced.
Greek main opposition New Democracy party asks that Papaconstantinou resign or be sacked, talking of a communication ploy.
In interviews printed on Greek newspapers on Sunday in the meantime European Commission and IMF auditors Servaas Deroose and Poul Thomsen insist that Greece should sale assets in the Public Electricity Company, the former Athens airport and real estate properties by the seaside to boost tourism.
"You have such a big public debt that you should sell first public real estates to reduce it and then ask for any conveniences to repay the loans," said Deroose, according to "Vima" newspaper, while Thomsen warned that the state of Greek economy remains "very fragile" according to "Kathimerini" newspaper. |
