European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with Belgium’s Le Soir that “it is fear that made the deal (with Greece) possible”. In the same interview he regretted the “rupture of solidarity” in Europe.

He commented that, through the agreement, both sides “have avoided the worse, not because it was exceedingly wise, but because we were afraid; it is fear which enabled the agreement.”

Regarding the prevalent mood of humiliation in Greece, Juncker claimed that “Greece is wrong to feel humiliated”.

Juncker expressed concern regarding the future of Europe, stating “Europeans do not like Europe”. He pointed to the gap between public opinion and European action when estimating that European integration is now an “elite project.”