European Commission president Barroso on Greece and the eurozone

European Commission president Jose Barroso, speaking during an interview with the Euronews channel, where he replied to questions by European citizens, said among other things that "the new measures must be adopted as soon as possible and in parallel Greece must show energy through the use of the EU Funds and through the promotion of the reforms for strengthening its competitiveness".

Asked on "what will take place in Greece from now on", the European Commission president said: "First of all let us clarify that Greece did not reach this situation due to the European Union. Greece reached this situation due to the non-viable debt and the deficits that accumulated with the passing of years. What the EU is doing is that it is giving Greece the opportunity to avoid default.

Now,  I realise that many of these adjustment measures are extremely painful and that indeed the Greeks have made great efforts which some underestimate sometimes. And I am referring to the measures that have to do with the salaries as well as to other measures. I believe that it is of vital importance for Greece and for the eurozone for Greece to remain in the euro. For this purpose the new measures must be adopted as soon as possible and in parallel Greece must show energy through the use of EU Funds and through the promotion of the reforms for strengthening its competitiveness. In  this way Greece can  restore trust, only with the regaining of trust will we be able to create viable jobs for the peoples of Europe and not only".

SOURCE: ATHENS NEWS AGENCY