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Greece 'may cut spending further' | Greece 'may cut spending further' |
(1 day later) | |
Greece could unveil more cost-cutting proposals if its current efforts do not work fast enough, the head of the 16-nation eurozone has said. | Greece could unveil more cost-cutting proposals if its current efforts do not work fast enough, the head of the 16-nation eurozone has said. |
Jean-Claude Juncker said Greece had agreed to outline additional measures in March if necessary. | Jean-Claude Juncker said Greece had agreed to outline additional measures in March if necessary. |
His comments came following a meeting of eurozone finance ministers. | His comments came following a meeting of eurozone finance ministers. |
However, Mr Juncker also said the nations sharing the single currency would not be revealing details of their planned bail-out for Greece. | However, Mr Juncker also said the nations sharing the single currency would not be revealing details of their planned bail-out for Greece. |
He said it would be "unwise" to discuss what was being prepared at this stage. | He said it would be "unwise" to discuss what was being prepared at this stage. |
'Stand determined' | 'Stand determined' |
Greece is seeking a financial rescue package from fellow eurozone members as it tries to reduce its giant public deficit from 12.7% - more than four times what single currency rules allow. | Greece is seeking a financial rescue package from fellow eurozone members as it tries to reduce its giant public deficit from 12.7% - more than four times what single currency rules allow. |
It has pledged to reduce this to 8.7% during 2010 under an austerity plan that involves major cuts in public spending. | |
Mr Juncker, who is also Luxembourg's prime minister, said further cost-cutting would be needed if Greece's debt reduction plans were not shown to be on target by 16 March. | Mr Juncker, who is also Luxembourg's prime minister, said further cost-cutting would be needed if Greece's debt reduction plans were not shown to be on target by 16 March. |
"It's up to Greece to consolidate its public finances, it's up to the euro area to stand determined [in case more is required of Athens]," he said. | "It's up to Greece to consolidate its public finances, it's up to the euro area to stand determined [in case more is required of Athens]," he said. |
Mr Juncker also said that the Greek government may have to present "revenue-increasing measures" - tax rises. | Mr Juncker also said that the Greek government may have to present "revenue-increasing measures" - tax rises. |
Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou had earlier said he wanted the other eurozone nations to release details of their planned bail-out for his country. | Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou had earlier said he wanted the other eurozone nations to release details of their planned bail-out for his country. |
He said this was needed to ease market fears that the country could default on its debts. | He said this was needed to ease market fears that the country could default on its debts. |
Eurozone leaders pledged last Thursday to support the country, but stopped short of detailing any exact proposals. | Eurozone leaders pledged last Thursday to support the country, but stopped short of detailing any exact proposals. |
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