“Our major commitment – she continued - is to find an agreement that will prevent the loss of trust in the euro currency and euro-zone as a whole”. We need a solution that can enable Greece to restore its financial situation. During the discussion with Andrus Ansip, Estonian Prime Minister , - she continued - we welcome the continued intention of Estonia to join the euro-zone, which in itself is an expression of trust and confidence.” 

In line with the President of ELDR, Matti Vanhanen, Finnish Prime Minister, said that “Greece is on the right track and must continue to cut its public deficit and follow the excellent example of Ireland in order to restore its credibility.” We also need some stronger sanctions to ensure that Member States comply with the Commission’s framework, which could include suspending structural funds.” With reference to the European Summit today and tomorrow, Vanhanen concluded, “I am ready to make a decision.”

Supporting the position of the Finnish PM, Brian Cowen, Irish Prime Minister, said “We have to protect the EU currency and find an agreement that allows us to move forward.  Mr Cowen also noted that, “Member States need to fulfill their responsibilities to stabilise public finances before seeking EU assistance”.

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE Group Leader, stated, “any proposed solution for Greece must not be the end of the discussion, but the beginning of a debate for future reforms that include the strengthening of EU economic, budgetary, and monetary policy. Greece doesn’t need money, but needs our support in order to obtain loans at an affordable interest rate.”

Commenting on the draft EU2020 proposal for sustainable growth and employment, President Neyts added that the proposal needs to have stronger incentives for Member States to reach the objectives of the strategy rather than simply relying on the same inducements contained in the Lisbon Strategy.