Brussels – Eurozone member countries have formally approved the second aid program for Greece. In a statement, the president of the Eurogroup, Jean Claude Junker, announced that the go-ahead came after "all the parliamentary and national procedures have been finalised".
The decision was made at the end of a teleconference attended by the directors of national treasuries. During the telephone conversation, Junker explains, the member countries of the Eurogroup "they authorized the EFSF bailout fund to pay 39,4 billion euros, which will be paid in several tranches".
It is a first part of the total 130 billion euros which will be given to the Greek country to restore the economy, for a financial assistance program which "for Greece constitutes a unique opportunity, not to be missed", underlines Junker, who asks the Athens government to "continue to show strong commitment and continue with the implementation of fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and privatization actions". The green light for the second aid package, Junker concludes in the note, "will allow the country to return to the path of sustainability", and this "is in everyone's interest".
