I wouldn’t have thought that Eurogroup chef Jean-Claude Juncker would keep me busy with a second post today. However as he supports the idea of putting a European commissioner in charge of developing Greece’s economic structure, he deserves a few more sentences in my blog.
Speaking to Die Welt German daily newspaper, Juncker’s comments came ahead of an EU summit that starts Thursday in Brussels.
“I very much support the idea of assigning an EU commissioner to developing the Greek economic structure,” Juncker said in an advance copy of the report to be published in Wednesday’s edition.
Such a move is necessary because Greece’s economic structure differs completely from that of other European countries, he said.
Juncker, who is also prime minister of Luxembourg, said the Greek government so far “hasn’t been able” to bring its economic infrastructure in line with European standards.
“That’s why we have to tackle the implementation ourselves,” he said.
A German proposal to have a commissioner oversee Greece’s economic reform efforts drew fierce opposition from other EU countries, which said that would violate national sovereignty.
The newspaper said Juncker rejected any comparison betweeen his proposal and that one.
Earlier this month, euro-zone finance ministers approved a fresh EUR130 billion bailout for Greece and a debt restructuring program. (Market Watch)
Meanwhile, a KTG-reader from Austria has published an open letter to Juncker in his blog. Klaus Kastner very politely asks Juncker to finally refrain from making ….statements!
PS1 I wonder why Juncker gave all these interviews to German media.
PS2 “It’s better you eat than you talk” Old Greek Saying…
Indeed. Greeks invented civilization thousands of years ago, they don’t need any influence from other EU countries, such as selling books after 6pm or selling books and coffee in the same shop, or street names. If anything, other EU countries should have Greek commissioner to finally bring them the rightful Greek ways.
Eh…??? We got that: Selling books after 6pm and coffee in the same shop. Never been to Eleytheroudakis in Athens? And opening hours for shops, on several days, all over the country are until 8 or 9pm.
Or should we change that to get in line with “the rightful Greek ways”?
I know we joke a little about losing our sovereinty but “Juncker, who is also prime minister of Luxembourg, said the Greek government so far “hasn’t been able” to bring its economic infrastructure in line with European standards.
“That’s why we have to tackle the implementation ourselves,” he said
Who is ourselves juncker is refering to? Where are our illustrious leaders to answer any of this? Were they told to keep their mouths shut or else they wouldn’t be allowed to have elections? Our brave and proud ancestors must be spinning in their graves! DROPIS SAS!
‘ourselves’ = Greece’s lenders, the real rulers of Greeece. Illustrious leaders have nothing to say, all they do is prepare for elections and pass anti-popular measures. Even the left parties do not comment, I think. It’s all about Mnimonio (MoU), nothing else on the agenda of the country.
Once again the EU thinks it is right and the rest of the world is wrong.
Well their mismanagement of the whole set up of the Eurozone has led to this fiasco.
Strength is in unity and that is one thing that this union did not see as important.
Not a political person but see the Greeks being made scapegoats for their failings and to be honest who is next ?
It is just unbelievable… don’t know what to say else… un-be-lie-vable…
Learn “European standards” in Luxembourg and invite all the Mafias of the world to hide their money in Greece.
If any Mafia likes it more openly then learn in Germany how the Italian invest. Never asked yourself why the Mafia isn’t killing that much people in Krautland? Very simple: It works even better without! Killings are signs of unexpected frictions.
But the main reason is: While Germany cares a bit more about tax evasion out of Germany they invite the other way round.
Greece made the CNN Front Page in big bold print. Wow!
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/01/opinion/greece-democracy/index.html?hpt=hp_c1