BRUSSELS, July 7 Following are comments from
\neuro zone finance ministers arriving in Brussels for an
\nemergency Eurogroup meeting after the Greek referendum.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
ITALIAN ECONOMY MINISTER PIER CARLO PADOAN<\/p>\n
We are going into this meeting with a constructive spirit to
\nfind a deal. Obviously a lot will depend on how the Greek
\ngovernment poses itself.<\/p>\n
We will listen to Greeces specific requests and commitments
\n(answering question on how Eurogroup would react to a Greek
\nrequest for a bridge loan)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
MALTESE FINANCE MINISTER EDWARD SCICLUNA<\/p>\n
(Asked on the possibility of a Grexit) I think it depends on
\nwhat one wants to go for. I think its a 50-50 thing. Its no
\nlonger that the word Grexit is being mentioned, not as a stick
\nbut as a possibility, a realistic possibility. But really we
\nshould study and evaluate both proposals to be in (the euro
\nzone) and also for Greece to be out. We should make sure in each
\ncase, its very well managed and with good intentions and not
\nused as a stick to beat the other with.<\/p>\n
Its very hard at this point of time to discuss that kind of
\nproposal (on debt relief for Greece) at the time when there was
\nno trust, and especially the countries of the euro group outside
\nGreece are a bit tired and exasperated and suspicious that I
\nthink this is not the time to start discussing that. First, we
\nneed the goodwill to build this and we havent reached that
\npoint yet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
SPANISH ECONOMY MINISTER LUIS DE GUINDOS<\/p>\n
We are almost out of time. We are in the last few seconds of
\nthis issue. We are going to listen to what the Greek government
\nis asking for. A Grexit is not a solution that suits anyone but
\nthe Greek government needs to put something on the table. It is
\nfundamental that they play by the rules.<\/p>\n
(Asked about debt restructuring) That is not the point right
\nnow. It is much more important to create the conditions so that
\nGreece can grow again.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
FINNISH FINANCE MINISTER ALEXANDER STUBB<\/p>\n
We are not looking at bridge financing at this stage.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE EURO VALDIS
\nDOMBROVSKIS<\/p>\n
Well, it is clear now that Greece is facing immense and
\nimmediate challenges. Last year has been a waste. What we need
\nnow is really a clear and credible strategy how Greece will come
\nout of the crisis, how to regain financial stability and return
\nto economic growth.<\/p>\n
A lot will depend on what the Greek government will present,
\nwhat kind of reform proposals. Is it going to be a credible and
\ncomprehensive package?<\/p>\n
We now need really to restore trust between 19 euro zone
\ndemocracies, only then will we be able to move forward.<\/p>\n
(Asked on a Grexit) Certainly, its not our aim, not our
\nintention. We are working towards the scenario where we can
\nreach an agreement but if trust is not rebuilt and there is no
\ncredible reform package in place, it cannot be excluded.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
EUROGROUP PRESIDENT JEROEN DIJSSELBLOEM<\/p>\n
I have not yet seen a proposal from the Greek government. I
\nwill meet the Greek finance minister before the meeting and then
\nwe will see.<\/p>\n
Its up to the Greek government to show how it can agree
\nwith its creditors.<\/p>\n
The pressure is especially on the Greeks, the banks are
\nclosed and the situation is difficult. I guess the Greek
\ngovernment has an interest in coming up with serious and
\ncredible solutions soon.<\/p>\n
I think over the last week and months the Eurogroup has been
\nvery united in its stance and it means we do whatever it takes
\nto strengthen the euro zone, to keep it together. Secondly we
\ncannot have an outcome of this process which damages our
\ncredibility.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
EU ECONOMICS COMMISSIONER PIERRE MOSCOVICI<\/p>\n
The European Commission is not resigned to Grexit. Grexit
\nwould be a terrible failure, a collective failure, we dont want
\nit. We remain ready to work on the basis of an agreement but it
\nis up to the Greek authorities to say in the clearest way how
\nthey wish to act to avoid the worst scenario, a scenario we
\ndont want.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
SLOVAK FINANCE MINISTER PETER KAZIMIR<\/p>\n
Situation has got to the point where a viable deal is
\npossible only at the highest political level, personally I am
\nsceptical that a deal will be found today.<\/p>\n
Prolonging these discussions would be detrimental, we need
\nto take courageous decisions one way or the other.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
DUTCH JUNIOR FINANCE MINISTER ERIC WIEBES<\/p>\n
I hope they will bring along a very serious proposal because
\nonly on the basis of the very serious proposal it makes sense to
\ncontinue talking. I cant imagine that proposal to be any less
\nserious than the one that was on the table (already)<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Robin Emmott, Francesco
\nGuarascio, Julien Ponthus, Alexander Saeedy, Adrian Croft, Foo
\nYun Chee, Alastair Macdonald, Julia Fioretti and Robert-Jan
\nBartunek)<\/p>\n