Hollande: negotiations on Greece’s need to continue to keep it in the EU – RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, June 21 – RIA Novosti. French President Francois Hollande called on to do everything possible to continue the negotiations and to keep Greece in the EU and to achieve optimal agreement on Greek debt, said on Sunday, Reuters reported.

“Greek exit from the Eurozone would not be positive for either the Greeks or the Europeans,” – said Hollande, after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Milan.

The head of France stressed that Europe needs a stable, especially in light of the fact that most of the EU began to emerge from recession. “No time to lose. Every day counts. The negotiations and discussions should continue until an agreement is reached,” – said Hollande.

Renzi, in turn, noted that all EU countries are convinced of the need to reach an agreement which will allow Greece to remain in the euro area.

Greece is negotiating with the EU and the IMF on the settlement of the debt by more than 240 billion euros, which was formed after the rescue of the Greek budget by default in 2010 and 2012. Forecasts lenders that austerity measures will enable Greece to pay debts, did not materialize. Came to power in January, the government left party SYRIZA insisted on new talks with creditors.

According to the Eurogroup, June 30 is the deadline for Greece, where agreement can be reached with the creditors. Then the support program will cease to operate, and the remaining 7.2 billion euros will not be able to be granted to Greece. The same day, the country needs to repay another portion of the IMF loan. If it does not, and if the IMF will report this to the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which lends to Greece on behalf of the European Union, it will mean cross-default on obligations to the EFSF.