Athens
, 4 March 2010
Journalist: How does your government intend to convince the public of the new measures’ inevitability?
Mr. Droutsas: Of course through dialogue with our fellow citizens But I should make it clear that the majority of the Greek public are fully aware of the critical state in which the Greek economy is, and also that immediate measures are definitely necessary. I believe that their understanding is a given fact. No one is happy when such measures are taken, but we intend to face this through dialogue with our fellow citizens.
Journalist: What do you have to say to pensioners who are protesting in the streets now, saying that they barely make ends meet and are out of money?
Mr. Droutsas: We call upon them to show understanding to the fact that these measures are truly necessary. We are going through a difficult juncture. But I should add that the Greek government has made a lot of efforts to make sure that this package of measures is based on the principle that the weaker social classes should not bear disproportionate costs. The strongest classes should pay the lion’s share. We tried to come up with a package that is as socially fair as possible. And we truly hope that our fellow citizens will show the necessary understanding.
Journalist: Where do you assign the blame for Greece’s disastrous financial situation?
Mr. Droutsas: Mistakes have certainly been made in the past. Partly the wrong policies and partly the wrong tactics were followed. However, I believe that we should look into this matter without lingering too much on the past. And within this framework, I would like to mention that the government, the Prime Minister himself took the initiative to set up a parliamentary inquiry on this matter, in order to shed light on what happened in the past.
Journalist: But precisely with regard to the future, the question is of course raised as to which EU member state would help Greece or would need to help Greece in future. The point of the matter is that in 2001, when Greece changed over to the euro, the Greek government submitted falsified statistic data.
Mr. Droutsas: I know that a great many rumours have been circulating regarding such practices. But I would like to stress that in 2002, when Greece entered the Eurozone, our party was in government. And allow me to make it clear that things were done by the book back then, and that Greece had made very significant efforts to be able to join the eurozone.
Journalist: Tomorrow, Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and yourself are meeting with the German Chancellor. Angela Merkel has already stated that your discussion will not involve financial aid measures. Are you satisfied with this?
Mr. Droutsas: I want to make it clear that Greece and the Greek government have never asked or demanded direct financial aid from their EU partners. We want to, and we know we can make it on our own. But what we need from our EU partners is a clear statement of solidarity and support to Greece and the Greek government, a clear message to international markets that they have complete faith in Greece and the Greek government, as well as in the measures it has taken. And here of course, Germany’s voice is of particular importance.
Journalist: Have you missed this voice?
Mr. Droutsas: We have not really missed this voice. At the latest Summit of EU heads of state and government in Brussels, a joint declaration was issued in this direction. I don’t deny that we were given the impression that this declaration was somewhat blurred by certain strong voices that were heard after the Summit. I also have to stress that international markets – those involved in them, know this very well – are very sensitive, mainly to crisis situations. The fact is that there are many speculators who take advantage of, and profit from, such situations. This is why I repeat that the we are expecting a clear message from our EU partners, a clear message to international markets that they have complete faith in Greece and the Greek government and that the measures we have taken will have a successful outcome.
Journalist: So with this political support, you will do whatever needs to be done on your own?
Mr. Droutsas: Of course, we must, and we are willing to, do it. I believe that the new Greek government has shown that it wants to address this crisis in a very serious and systematic manner in the four months since it took office. The latest package of austerity measures we just prepared and presented to the public shows, in my view, that the Greek government is willing, ready and in a position to do what is needed to address this crisis.