EUROZONE-GREECE-GERMAN GOVERNMENT Germany open for talks but Greece to act - German government

Record ID: 148269

  • Title: EUROZONE-GREECE-GERMAN GOVERNMENT Germany open for talks but Greece to act - German government
  • Date: 6th July 2015
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JULY 5, 2015) (REUTERS) GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN STEFFEN SEIBERT ARRIVING FOR GOVERNMENT NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAS GOVERNMENT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN STEFFEN SEIBERT, SAYING: "The German government remains open for talks. As the German chancellor said last week in the German parliament - the door for talks remains always open. H
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA64P6332KJD6WLDDL9WSW64NID
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A German government spokesman said on Monday (July 6) that the door for negotiations with Greece was open, but the conditions for such talks were not yet met.
    "The German government remains open for talks," Steffen Seibert said, "however in light of the decision by the Greek citizens, the conditions to start negotiations on a new aid programme are not met yet."
    With opinion towards Greece hardening in Germany's ruling coalition following the landslide rejection of European bailout terms in a Sunday (July 5) referendum, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman indirectly raised the prospect of a Greek exit from the currency bloc.
    "Greece is a member of the euro. It is up to Greece and its government to act so that this can remain the case," Steffen Seibert told a government news conference. "It depends now on what proposals the Greek government puts on the table."
    Pressed on what concessions Berlin might be willing to make to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, a finance ministry spokesman dismissed the idea of a debt restructuring sought by Athens and favoured by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
    "A debt cut for Greece is not on the agenda for us and was not part of the negotiations up to June 30," he said.
    Seibert signalled a tough line towards Greece on Monday, saying that Merkel has received the message from the referendum: "The German chancellor sees more clarity on Greek position after the result of the referendum. Insofar, if slightly more that 60 percent support the refusal of the Greek government that is making the position clear."
    But he said the ball was in the Greeks court and it was up to Athens to move swiftly.
    "I repeat again: the door for talks with Greece remains open, but today, based of the result of the referendum the conditions for talks on a new aid programme are not present now," Seibert said.
    Seibert refused to comment on the resignation of Greece's outspoken finance minister and any reaction to that: "Mr Varoufakis was never a dialogue partner for the German chancellor, therefore I will not comment on his resignation. And also not any emotions that might be related to that," but added: "I think there were none."
    The Greek finance minister resigned on Monday, removing a major obstacle to any deal to keep Athens in the eurozone after Greeks voted resoundingly to back the government in rejecting the austerity terms of a bailout.
    Yanis Varoufakis, an avowed "erratic Marxist" economist who infuriated eurozone partners with his unconventional style and hectoring lectures, had campaigned for Sunday's sweeping 'No' vote, accusing Greece' creditors of "terrorism".
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