Tough talks ahead on Greece, says Dutch finance minister

Friday 14 September 2012

Caretaker finance minister Jan Kees de Jager told reporters on Friday he expects 'tough talks' on Greece during today’s meeting of European finance ministers in Cyprus.

On Thursday there were reports that Greece would need a third bail-out package, although the Greek government later denied this.

Any further call for financial help for Athens would place the caretaker Dutch government in a difficult position.

Enough is enough

Prime minister Mark Rutte came under fire during the recent election campaign for saying Greece should not get any more financial help from Europe.

‘We have given support to Greece twice, loans totalling €240bn and that is enough,’ Rutte said during the televised debate at the Carré theatre. ‘The Greeks are in a better position because of it, but I say ‘enough is enough’'.

Finance ministers are also due to discuss stepping up European banking supervision during their meeting. The Netherlands favours tougher regulation.

© DutchNews.nl