ATHENS: The governor of Greece's central bank insisted on Thursday that Athens and not European Union leaders will drive the country's recovery from a crisis that threatens its place in the eurozone.
Greece's recovery "is linked to the decisions that will be taken in Athens and not in Brussels," the chairman of the Bank of Greece, George Provopoulos, said, quoted in a statement from the Greek presidency.
His comments came amid reports that eurozone countries were preparing for Greece's possible exit from the currency if it fails to elect a new government that meets commitments made under an international bailout deal.
"It is here that the question of recovery will be determined. We have a lot to do and we are perhaps wasting time currently by taking care of other subjects," Provopoulos added, after meeting with President Carolos Papoulias.
"The recovery may be brought about through quicker privatisations which could draw investment, but unfortunately we are late in doing this," he said, referring to part of Greece's reform efforts to end its crisis.
The EU and other international lenders have demanded the reforms in return for hundreds of billions of euros in bailout funds to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debts.
The reforms are currently in limbo however as Greece awaits a new election on June 17 after an inconclusive vote on May 6.
The first vote saw strong gains for the radical left-wing party Syriza, which has threatened to renege on Greece's commitments under the bailout, raising the prospect that it may default and leave the eurozone.
The latest polls show Syriza may beat the centre-right party New Democracy, which backs the reforms. Provopoulos meanwhile confirmed that Greek banks will receive 18 billion euros of EU bailout funds by Monday to help them recapitalise after big losses caused by a restructuring of Greek government debt.
indiatimes.com
Greece's recovery "is linked to the decisions that will be taken in Athens and not in Brussels," the chairman of the Bank of Greece, George Provopoulos, said, quoted in a statement from the Greek presidency.
His comments came amid reports that eurozone countries were preparing for Greece's possible exit from the currency if it fails to elect a new government that meets commitments made under an international bailout deal.
"It is here that the question of recovery will be determined. We have a lot to do and we are perhaps wasting time currently by taking care of other subjects," Provopoulos added, after meeting with President Carolos Papoulias.
"The recovery may be brought about through quicker privatisations which could draw investment, but unfortunately we are late in doing this," he said, referring to part of Greece's reform efforts to end its crisis.
The EU and other international lenders have demanded the reforms in return for hundreds of billions of euros in bailout funds to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debts.
The reforms are currently in limbo however as Greece awaits a new election on June 17 after an inconclusive vote on May 6.
The first vote saw strong gains for the radical left-wing party Syriza, which has threatened to renege on Greece's commitments under the bailout, raising the prospect that it may default and leave the eurozone.
The latest polls show Syriza may beat the centre-right party New Democracy, which backs the reforms. Provopoulos meanwhile confirmed that Greek banks will receive 18 billion euros of EU bailout funds by Monday to help them recapitalise after big losses caused by a restructuring of Greek government debt.
indiatimes.com
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