Estonian prime minister: Greece must repay loans
Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said that any proposal by Greece to avoid paying back loans is inappropriate and the nation must honor its responsibilities.
Rõivas said to ERR's radio news that Greece must make cut-backs in spending and reduce non-essential benefits. He said he does not see any other way for Greece to beat its economic troubles.
“The European Union has been present at all the planning and execution of Greece's reforms. Reforms which the Greek people now voted against, choosing a political force with rather populist views to lead the nation,” Rõivas said.
“Of course we respect the democratic freedom of the Greek people for self-determination, but the hope that they no longer have to fulfill commitments must not accompany the choices made,” he said.
The far-left Syriza party won the recent Greek parliamentary elections, and will form the next government. The party has promised to renegotiate Greece's 240-billion-euro bailouts.
Estonia joined the eurozone in 2011, just as Europe's debt crisis was deepening. Estonia also participated in the Greek rescue package, put together by the eurozone members. The package was destined to help Greece avoid a complete insolvency.
Editor: J.M. Laats, S. Tambur