Indebted Greece might need additional assistance in the amount of ten billion euros (over a quarter of a trillion CZK). It is assumed, however, that lenders providing such assistance will not impose any new conditions, greek Finance Minister Jannis Sturnaras said in an interview for the newspaper Proto Thema.
"If Greece will need additional support, it will be about ten billion euros," the minister said. "We're not talking about a new rescue program, but a package to stimulate the economy without the new requirements," he added.
Greece has received from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) two packages in the total sum of 240 billion euros (nearly 6.2 trillion CZK) and used already about 90 percent of this amount. The second aid program is due to expire at the end of next year.
Greek government in exchange for financial assistance has introduced stringent austerity measures, including spending cuts, reduced pensions and salaries and raising taxes. However, savings slow down greek economy that is already six years in a recession. Unemployment rate in Greece in May climbed to a record 27.6 percent.
According to the European Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger Greece could get additionally something over ten billion euros. Last month the IMF estimated that Greece will be missing almost 11 billion euros in 2014 and 2015.
"It will be a manageable amount. Personally, I expect that number will be a little over ten billion euros. Program should cover the years 2014-2016," said Oettinger, who is a member of the German government party.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned last week that Greece will need more aid program. At the same time he repeated the requirements of German government and Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding no write-down of Greek debt.