×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
26
Feb 2026
weather symbol
Athens 10°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Economy

Eurogroup chief says talk of Greek exit is premature

Eurogroup Chairman Jeroen Dijssebloem did not rule out Greece's early exit from the bailout program but he did express caution

Newsroom October 14 10:01

Eurogroup Chairman and Dutch Finance Miniser Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Monday that discussions on what will happen once Greece exits its bailout program are premature. Following the completion of the Eurogroup meeting in Luxembourg, attended by Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis, Mr. Dijsselbloem said that the fifth review of the country’s program is the priority at the moment. He also added that an official request for an exit from the European program has yet to be received.

Mr. Dijsselbloem warned that prudence should be shown concerning Greek exit from the aid program and that an exit would be conditional on economic reforms.

DJHEL

Mr. Hardouvelis briefed his counterparts on the first phase of Greece’s fifth troika review and stressed the great progress made by the country in applying reforms. Despite all-round improvements, Mr. Dijsselbloem said that effort on specific reforms needs to be made for Greece to remain on the right track even after its exit from EU surveillance. Nonetheless, the government has put the brakes on harsh reforms to Greek social security despite European pressure for this.

A source of the Greek delegation at Eurogroup said that Greece has already covered 65% of reforms, however it is unlikely that we will ever cover 100%, especially regarding social security.

>Related articles

Gianni Onorato to newmoney: MSC Cruises sees steady growth and invests in Greece

e-EFKA: From 1 March the new period of insurance eligibility, all the conditions

ELGA: €18.7 million in compensation credited today to eligible producers’ accounts

Regarding the draft budget, the EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Jyrki Kaitanen said that the draft is still under review. Despite improvements to Greece’s fiscal data, the situation is fragile as shown in the bonds market. Mr. Kaitanen said that many structural reforms still need to be implemented.

Fund director Klaus Regling said that 11 billion euros of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) are benchmarked for the recapitalization of Greek banks. This money can either be returned and reduce the country’s debt whereas another is to use this amount next year.

Greek government sources in Luxembourg said that Greece would prefer to use the ESFS money as a “safety pillow” rather than return it to the Fund.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Economy

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Battle in Evros to avoid flooding Lavaras, the water has reached six meters

February 25, 2026

Oliver Power Grant, founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, dies at 52

February 25, 2026

Incorrect installation of propane pipe at Violanda lacked anti-corrosion protection, according to NTUA report

February 25, 2026

Karystianou announces her party before summer, walks back abortion remarks, attacks Tsipras, Androulakis, Konstantopoulou

February 25, 2026

Sales of energy drinks to children under 16 to be banned in Spain

February 25, 2026

Mitsotakis at New Democracy’s pre-congress in Alexandroupoli: The fence will cover the entire Evros so that we are secure against any threat

February 25, 2026

Vance: Trump prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran

February 25, 2026

Antonis Samaras: Potential ceding of sovereign rights in the contract with Chevron and says he feels “vindicated”

February 25, 2026
All News

> World

Sales of energy drinks to children under 16 to be banned in Spain

The ban will join other initiatives adopted in recent years

February 25, 2026

Vance: Trump prefers a diplomatic solution with Iran

February 25, 2026

Tragedy in Crans-Montana: Switzerland to pay $64,000 for each victim

February 25, 2026

The next step in Artificial Intelligence: Can an AI model be conscious, “feel,” “live”? Even experts admit they don’t know

February 25, 2026

Financial Times: How Deutsche Bank rolled out the red carpet for Epstein – Hundreds of millions in accounts & transfers to models in Russia

February 25, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα