Finance Minister Edward Scicluna. Photo:  Matthew MirabelliFinance Minister Edward Scicluna. Photo:  Matthew Mirabelli

Malta demanded an assurance that the Greek debt would be fully repaid before any further concessions were discussed, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said.

Eurozone finance ministers discussed the new Greek government’s economic and financial plans during a meeting in Brussels, which was addressed by Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.

A discussion on the Greek financial assistance programme and its possible extension took place but no agreement was reached.

Prof. Scicluna said that, in the hour of need, Malta had expressed its solidarity with the Greek people by agreeing to extend assistance to Greece.

“We gave Greece almost €200 million, equivalent to 2.4 per cent of GDP. We went twice to Parliament to soften the terms, maturity and interest,” he said. Thus, before discussing concessions, “we would like to have the assurance that this debt will be honoured in full because nobody back home is ready to compromise on this”.

We would like to have the assurance that this debt will be honoured in full

He said Malta would be working closely with all colleagues and “is ready to find better remedies”.

Prof. Scicluna said Athens would find the support of many countries for the growth-oriented strategy that was outlined, “now that words like ‘flexibility’, ‘growth-friendly consolidation’ and ‘investment’ are becoming part of the group’s vocabulary”.

“However, we must work within the current structures and rules in a spirit of solidarity and avoid confrontation.

“Our aims are yours too. We need a successful Greece with a strong economy and better quality of life for its people,” he added.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said winning an election at the expense of taxpayers in other eurozone countries was simply not on.

“That includes Maltese taxpayers who have already chipped in to help Greece,” he told an EPP party leaders’ meeting.

Insisting he was all for solidarity with Greece, Dr Busuttil said this had to go hand in hand with responsibility.

“If the new government is not prepared to be responsible with our money, then we should tell them thank you but no thank you. And we should say it now,” he said.

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