42 Quotes by Lucas Papademos

I am convinced that the public, large majority of the Greek people, realize that policies pursued in the past and the market practices have to be changed, in order to improve the prospects of the Greek economy. So there is, I think, strong public support despite the increases in social tensions.

I am personally convinced - and I think the Greek people share this belief in a fundamental way - that we can achieve fiscal consolidation more effectively and we can restore competitiveness in a more fundamental and permanent way within the euro area than outside.

I think the funds that have been pledged at Euro Summit, combined with the outcome of the private sector involvement process should be sufficient in order to support financially the Greek Economy.

In the 20 years before Greece end up with the Euro, efforts to improve competitiveness through exchange rate and adjustments resulted only in temporary gains of competitiveness.

Dealing with Greece’s problems will be more difficult if Greece is not a member of the eurozone.

The government is determined to continue the process of fiscal consolidation and structural reform in order to secure sound public finances and improve the country’s international competitiveness.

The participation of our country in the eurozone is a guarantee for the country’s monetary stability. It is a driver of financial prosperity.

I am confident that we can overcome this crisis, provided that we remain united in our effort to address our debt and competitiveness problems. And I think that the Greek people are united; it’s important also that the political forces are united in line with the will of the Greek people.

So it won’t be a surprise when the Greek default actually happens and we expect it one way or the other to be relatively soon.