With an eye towards the “real economy”, EC President Jean Claude Juncker on Friday announced some two billion euros in EU aid towards Greece to boost growth, fight youth unemployment and deal with what the radical left government in Athens calls the “humanitarian crisis”.
Juncker made the statement a day after an unofficial but closely watched meeting between Europe’s top leaders and Greek PM Alexis Tsipras immediately after the EU summit in Brussels.
“This will not be used to fill Greece’s coffers, but to support efforts to create growth and social cohesion in Greece,” Juncker told reporters in the Belgian capital.
The powerful head of the European Commission set a team of technocrats to help the debt-laden and recession-plagued country absorb the extra cash.
He also expressed optimism that Athens and its eurozone creditors will finally cut a final deal to shore up Greece’s finances through the implementation of a loan agreement.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions