Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou describes as ‘insulting’ the demands by some EU countries to put islands and monuments as guarantee for a new loan. Speaking to Italian newspaper Corriera della Sera, Papandreou underlines that privatization is top priority and express hope that a new loan or bailout won’t be necessary. However he stresses it is unacceptable to ask us islands or monuments as guarantee.
“I want to add one thing on which we are very sensitive: to ask us for an island or a monument as a guarantee is nearly an insult. The people expect our word and our actions are a sufficient guarantee,” Papandreou said.
In Corriere della Sera, Papandreou listed measures already taken to improve the country’s public finances, including public sector cuts and economic liberalisation and said he is readying a robust privatisation plan.
“At the start, privatisations were not a priority. Now they are top of the agenda. We will demonstrate that we are able to honour our debt servicing with a series of development projects,” he said in the interview.
“There is wide consensus on our plan, also from the opposition and in public opinion. We will approve it soon,” Papandreou noted.
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You could hardly blame the people of the Ionian islands if they volunteered to be bought by the EU and administered by Brussels, that way they might actually get some attention. Greek governments of every stripe almost completely neglect the islands. Development planning is almost non-existent and roads and other infrastructure only fixed when too broken too ignore.
another painful chapter: the Greek regions and especially the Islands… infrastructure? transport? health?
ps very nice villas, David…