German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned that Greece still needs to make a great deal of effort and should not expect any more concessions from Germany in an interview with Deutschlandfunk on Sunday.

He said that alternative solutions are not necessary following the pledge that the Greek government made on February 20 to fulfil its commitments. He added that Athens needs to exert a great deal of effort to keep its agreement.

Schaeuble noted that the successful completion of the current program is a prerequisite before new aid is given to Greece, adding however that “we are still a long way from this.” He said that the Greek government needs to deal with a number of problems. He wished the country strength and said that support would be given however the country cannot avoid its predicament.

Asked about whether he trusts the Greek government, Schaeuble said: “In international relations we need to always show respect: The Greeks voted and this is the government chosen by Greeks and has its responsibilities. Consequently, I would not want to change places with my Greek counterpart. His is more difficult than mine. He has the right to be taken seriously, as does the entire government, and that’s why I trust that they will do what they should, and we demand this. Respectively, they will need to expect that we will also abide by what we have always said.”

Schaeuble avoided sending a warning to Greece, stating that Greeks are aware that they are in a difficult situation and need no warnings. “The problems have their reasons in Greece. Greece has received more assistance than any other country. And those in charge need to tell the Greek nation this. And now Greece should do what it has pledged because one degree of help is also self-help,” he said. “Greeks will, at some point, need to reach the point that they can succeed all they desire using their own strength and be able to economically stand.”

He said that he will discuss Greek issues with European Central Bank (ECB) Chief Mario Draghi, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup Chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem on the sidelines of the G7 conference. “The problem needs to be solved within Greece, because the Greek government recently reconfirmed that the February 20 agreement would be kept in the joint Eurogroup announcement,” he said.