Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras leaves the Finance Ministry after a meeting on cutting red tape for businesses in Athens, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. Samaras has said that after years of deficits, Greece will post a euro1.5 billion ($ 2 billion) primary surplus in 2013, and in 2014 the country is expected to return to growth after a six-year recession. But unemployment remains at record high levels, reaching a staggering 28 percent in November. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)
BRUSSELS – A top official for the 18-country eurozone is insisting a decision on more financial assistance or debt relief for Greece won't be made until "after the summer."
Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who chairs the Eurogroup meeting of eurozone finance ministers, said Monday that Greece's debt burden "has to be reduced; the question is who does it and how to do it."
He said there's currently no urgency since Greece's current 240 billion-euro ($330 billion) bailout program provides enough financing through the summer, provided the country meets its fiscal and reform targets.
Dijsselbloem's remarks put an end to speculation that international creditors might agree to some form of debt relief before the European Parliament elections in May to boost Greece's governing pro-reform camp against its more euro-sceptic opponents.
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