quarta-feira, 15 de junho de 2016

Euclid Tsakalotos: "I am not surprised that the Greeks are disappointed"

By Admin 03:00

Euclid Tsakalotos: it has been a very complicated year. At the time, we define a strategy to get out of the crisis through the recapitalisation of the banks finish, in order to consolidate them. The plan also established the first evaluation of the assistance program. The day may 24, it was decided to finish this first review, then to proceed to a new disbursement and reach the right framework to bridge our debt.

interview with/συνέντευξη με Paul Mason. whole interview tonight channel4 news <a href="https://twitter.com/21">21.00 greek time όλη η… http://t.co/0HwdZC5SUv</a>

Euronews: as you said, the decision by the Eurogroup to relieve debt and extend the deadlines was taken recently. But considers that compens atory measures are sufficient given the severity of the new reforms that the Greek Government did approve?

Et: I think it's an important appointment because of the following: for the first time, it was clarified that the clause "if necessary". Until today, the euro group announced available to intervene in case of need. But, as of now, this scenario is defined. And that opens the door to that, from 2018, Greece's financial needs do not exceed the threshold of 15%. All the measures we took were made to ensure this objective condition. Things do not depend on the German Finance Minister, Spanish, French or Greek wake up one day and say: "we must do something!". No, what needs to be done is set out objectively. And that's a big step.

Euronews: the Athens Chamber of Commerce held a poll which shows that 69% of G reeks will not have the means to pay taxes this year and 89% believe that the new measures will aggravate recession. How do you justify your choices before this?

Et: the Greek people must be aware that the program is very intensive, but when they finish the fiscal measures we can devote ourselves to our development with the help of direct injection of liquidity from the ECB and with the return of investors. All of this requires much effort. We're not done yet. But it is true that there is a certain pessimism, as indicate these probes. In September, asked me what would be the most difficult for the Government, I'd say completion of the initial assessment. It is a fact that the program is very strict. No wonder people feel disillusioned, they have every right. After all, this crisis has been going on for 5, 6, 7 years.

Euronews: made a lot of promises. Do you think people continue to believe in his speech?

ET: we've made a lot of promises, assume commitments, but also took this agreement to the polls. The September elections were the first in which the Greek people knew exactly what they were voting on. We never said we were going to stop the agreement, we didn't change his mind. This agreement, with all the good and bad that has became a part of the election campaign. We won the election based on it.

Euronews: as a politician of the left, how it feels to implement measures including the privatization of public services?

Et: Being Minister of the left, the truth is that I have to solve the problems. I've ran into opponents who sa y that if the left is only useful when there is an increase of 5% and a 5% unemployment, so in reality it serves no purpose. If we don't we are effective at a time when there is no growth and unemployment is 25% us, then no one will vote in us after recovery. The people chose us because they know we will apply the program with the greatest possible social sensitivity. That's what we showed in the reform of the pension system and the tax system.

Euronews: the French Government is trying to implement a controversial labor law that has generated many manifestations. Is on the side of the protesters or the French Government, which approached quite recently?

Et: the labour market reform is an issue that all countries will have to face. I do not think Europe's problems are due to lack of labour market flexibility, which is an argument that is heard for decades. There have been a number of steps to increase flexibility and the effects are much reduced. Our lenders will ask us, for example, to facilitate dismissals. But we know â€" I am professor of economics â€" that there is no evidence to suggest that this measure results in less unemployment. The result is the same level of employment and more insecurity among workers.

Euronews: the Brexit is on the table. Unlike Greece, the United Kingdom organized a referendum to ask citizens if they want to stay or leave the European Union. What is, for you, the best solution for the United Kingdom, for the European Union and Greece?

ET: I am convinced that the best solution for both the United Kingdom and Europe and Greece, is staying. There is no doubt. If the Brexit is forwar d, will emerge centrifugal forces, as happened in 30 years. Let's watch the devaluation of currencies, the nationalism which in the past had the outcome. It's a very disturbing scenario. However, whatever happens, the important thing is that Europeans learn the lesson. If, in the end, they decide to stay for a difference of 2% or 3%, will be a huge warning signal. If Europe does not react and do not guarantee citizens the protection of wages, pensions, welfare State, we will have more cases like the Brexit in the future.

Euronews: your predecessor, Yanis Varoufakis, stated repeatedly that the European Union does not work in a democratic way. Sharing the same vision?

Et: I don't think the issue is whether Europe has a democratic deficit. That's not the subject political analysts have debated over the last dec ade. The important thing is not to label as populists people who claim to want to have a say on matters that affect the lives of everyone ". If the qualify of populists, we refer them to the Marine Le Pen, for proponents of Brexit, to the extreme right. We have to listen to the citizens. And citizens want to have a say on key issues ". If Europe does not provide them, then become antieuropeus.

Euronews: when the Greek people can be really the notion that things are changing, not just in numbers, but in real life?

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