"It is essential that when we deal with a euro area country there is a European lead and a European responsibility," EU economy commissioner Olli Rehn said at a conference in Brussels on Friday (19 March). "It is important that the EU in the course of next week comes to a more specific conclusion, specific political conclusion about the European framework for co-ordinated and conditional action, if needed and required," he told journalists afterwards. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso appears set to go further on Saturday, indicating the EU is ready to provide financial aid to Greece if it is requested, according to a leaked transcript of an interview with French radio, seen by Dow Jones Newswires.
"It is essential that when we deal with a euro area country there is a European lead and a European responsibility," EU economy commissioner Olli Rehn said at a conference in Brussels on Friday (19 March).
"It is important that the EU in the course of next week comes to a more specific conclusion, specific political conclusion about the European framework for co-ordinated and conditional action, if needed and required," he told journalists afterwards.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso appears set to go further on Saturday, indicating the EU is ready to provide financial aid to Greece if it is requested, according to a leaked transcript of an interview with French radio, seen by Dow Jones Newswires.
In an interview with FRANCE 24, European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, spoke about the possibility of IMF assistance for Greece - and roundly rejected the idea mooted by Angela Merkel of kicking out a member of the eurozone.But in his interview with FRANCE 24, Barroso dismissed the idea of kicking out eurozone members. "I do not comment on other's comments," he stressed. "What I can tell you is the position of the Commission...currently, excluding a member state from the eurozone is not possible. It's absurd." He also said the euro area was "ready to take all the necessary measures" to guarantee Greece's financial stability.
But in his interview with FRANCE 24, Barroso dismissed the idea of kicking out eurozone members. "I do not comment on other's comments," he stressed. "What I can tell you is the position of the Commission...currently, excluding a member state from the eurozone is not possible. It's absurd."
He also said the euro area was "ready to take all the necessary measures" to guarantee Greece's financial stability.
