The president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker makes it clear to the European Parliament that he wants to to avoid until the end a Greek exit from the euro. Juncker's speech, before the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg at 8,30, is the first after the outcome of the Greek referendum on Sunday and the line of the former Luxembourg premier is crystal clear: "The EU commission will ensure that negotiations resume". For Juncker "there are those who are secretly aiming for Greece to leave" but for the number one of the EU Commission in Europe "there are no easy answers".
"It is time for common sense to return" and the time has come to "return to negotiations" and to stop "the point-blank shooting", said Juncker, also underlining that it is "unacceptable for the Commission to be called terrorists" by the government Greek.
Juncker also reserved a few jabs at Germany: “The role of the EU Commission with respect to Greece is much criticized in some states, especially where German is spoken. Either you want a political commission or you want high officials. I am a politician,” he added in his speech to Parliament. “It is surprising that everyone can express their views on Greece except myself, but I won't let myself be muzzled, I was elected. The same goes for the president of the EU Parliament, who is not a paper tiger and can express himself".
Juncker also wanted to clarify that the text on which the referendum in Greece it is no longer on the negotiating table and for this reason he wonders what the Greeks have expressed themselves on given that the proposal of 25 June is now outdated.
At the end of the report to the Strasbourg Parliament, the President of the Commission will return to Brussels to participate in the extraordinary summit of the leaders of the 19 countries of the Eurozone convened for 18 pm.
