• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Big fat Greek bailout 'unlikely': Borg

Published: 9 Dec 09 12:17 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23748/20091209/

Sweden’s finance minister Anders Borg warned Greece on Wednesday that European countries were unlikely to help the Mediterranean nation solve its current budget crisis.

Borg also urged Athens to "apply serious budget policies."

In an interview with the German daily Handelsblatt, Borg was asked if European Union members might provide Greece with bilateral aid, and said: "Such an approach would have to be discussed very attentively within the eurozone."

Greece is a member of the 16-nation eurozone, but Sweden, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, is not.

"There is no legal basis" for such aid, Borg added.

"The European treaty even explicitly forbids EU member states from transferring their debts to others, and we should stick to that."

Greek public finances are in terrible shape and the country's sovereign debt was downgraded on Tuesday by the international ratings agency Fitch and placed on negative watch by Standard & Poor's.

Borg pressed Athens to present "a multi-year consolidation plan and make drastic short term savings."

"The government there must begin to finally apply serious budget policies," he stressed.

A sudden and sharp revision of the country's public deficit is something "that simply should not happen in a well-organized country," the finance minister noted.

Greece's partners are very worried about the situation, Borg said, adding that it was not only the result of the global economic crisis.

"Greek public debt was already out of control before the crisis erupted," he noted.

His remarks followed unusually strong comment from the head of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet on Monday, saying that the state of Greek public finances was very difficult and that "courageous" corrective action was needed.

Some analysts have interpreted such recent comment from officials in EU institutions as revealing reluctance to appear ready to help Greece as a matter of course, unless Greece shows it is going to take aggressive action to reduce its public deficit.

AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

15:23 December 9, 2009 by Bensonradar
The reason Greece is nearly bankrupt is because of TAX EVASION. George Papaconstantinou, the new Greek Finance Minister, has ordered a review of the tax records of doctors in Kolonaki, a wealthy neighbourhood in Athens. Many of the doctors, bless them, have filed tax returns indicating that they earned just above the minimum wage of 20,000 euros [approx 210,039 Swedish Krona] per year. Greece suffers from widespread tax evasion, though is determined not to go to the IMF. Their problem is that when George Papandreou's party took over, the previous government had lied about the deficit. Instead of being six percent of GDP, it was 12.7 percent. The result is that Greek debt is downgraded by traders. The Greek government needs to revitalise their tax collection system, get people to pay correct taxes, and cut their large public sector.
17:27 December 9, 2009 by mkvgtired
Greece is a good example of what will happen to to other Western nations if we do not start to control our deficits. If the downgrade of Greece is causing such upset in the financial markets one can't even imagine what would happen if the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, or France's sovereign debt was downgraded. If that happened we would see a huge sell-off of financial assets globally. If these "risk free" investments are at risk one can only imagine how institutional investors will view "risky" assets such as equities, corporate bonds, and emerging market funds.

I wrote a blog entry several months ago citing figures from The Bank of Greece. If we do not change our economic course we all have a very dismal future to look forward to.

http://www.stopkillingourdollar.com/2009/05/look-into-future.html
02:29 December 10, 2009 by Weekend_warrior
I was day trading National Bank of Greece (NYSE:NBG) some months ago, but have long since ceased. For that matter, I have pulled outta AIB and IRE too from Ireland respectively. Never bothered with Spain....

mkv...they'd never downgrade the sovereign debt of those nations for that very reason. Well, they would, but those are all highly productive nations who can service their debt. And Greece is laughable at best to be compared to Germany, France, or the USA.

excellent video on "MONEY AS DEBT" very informative
12:14 December 10, 2009 by krrodman
This is an interesting lesson for Sweden. Not to suggest that Sweden runs its economy in the same manner as the Greeks, but rather countries have used currency manipulation(Greece, Italy - USA) to pay for, and cover up for, ill-advised social and economic policies.

Once a country accepts the EURO, and the financial structure that come along with it, it can no longer devalue in order to cover for poor fiscal policy. In years past Greece would have devalued its currency and gone on with its irresponsible fiscal policies. Now it cannot because the Euro-Zone will not allow for it.

Note to Sweden - If you convert to the Euro, for better or worse, you will lose control of the ability to use your currency to compensate for social and fiscal irresponsibility.
18:45 December 10, 2009 by mkvgtired
I agree it is laughable now, but even an extremely productive nation can not cover a 10% of GDP annual deficit indefinitely. Hopefully the Asians were more persuasive than the Americans advising Obama. I realize a 10% of GDP deficit is not uncommon this year, but it does not seem like the decision makers in the US or UK have any interest in containing their budgets in the future.
03:33 December 13, 2009 by Davey-jo
If you don't fix Greece how can you expect to fix anything? The whole Euro currency must collapse. It's "one value for all countries" and if Greece is a bucket case then so is Germany. It's nonsense but that's what happens with a common currency. You get stuffed by the poorest performer. I guess Sweden and the UK will be shrugging their shoulders and saying "I told you so"
23:42 February 5, 2010 by rtaylormu
It is really important that countries control their national debt, and at this point it's not clear that Greece deserves any kind of bailout. And if they get one, all of the other European countries in debt will want one. This video elaborates really well on moral hazard of bailing out Greece:

http://www.newsy.com/videos/greek-bail-out
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

40 percent of recruiters are checking potential employee’s social networking pages during the hiring process, a figure which has shot up from last year, according to a recent report. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Since the new Social Democrat party leader Stefan Löfven took up the post, the party is gaining strength in the polls, causing political experts to speak of a ”Löfven-effect”. READ »

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported a major boost in earnings for 2011 thanks to winning several major contracts, but a drop in orders left investors jittery, sending Saab's stock price down nearly 10 percent. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin, the ex-Swedish hockey great, has made a donation supporting research into children's health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Toronto. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M has been criticized for choosing not to attend a hearing to highlight poor conditions for textile workers in Cambodia, where hundreds of employees at a plant run by the Swedish fashion giant mysteriously passed out in August. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Spanair pulled SAS into the red for 2011, despite improved operating profits, the Scandinavian airline reported on Wednesday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Swedish defence group Saab have announced that it will cut the price on its Gripen fighter jet to secure its Swiss order after a threat by French planemaker Dassault to undercut them. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

A file image of a worker at a Volvo Cars assembly plant

Few Swedes ready to work until they're 75: poll

An overwhelming majority of Swedes disagree with Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's suggestion that workers should be ready to stay on the job until they are 75, a new poll shows. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

SAAB BANKRUPT
Several bids for Saab: administrator

Several bids for Saab: administrator

Several companies are interested in buying Saab, confirmed the bankrupt Swedish carmaker's administrators on Tuesday, while currently unwilling to disclose the identities of the bidders. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

US ISPs block hacker probes: Swedish police

US ISPs block hacker probes: Swedish police

The Swedish National Police Board has called for new international laws to catch hackers on the internet, after US internet service providers refused to divulge information on the weekend's attack on government websites. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

More Business & Money

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Find a new job in Sweden now
13/02 adidas Group is now searching for a new Back office Sales Support
adidas Group
Stockholm
13/02 Build Manager
EA DICE
Stockholm
13/02 Sales and Business Development Managers, DK (CPH), NO (Oslo), SE (Stokholm) and FI (Helsinki)
Target Headhunting ApS
Stockholm
13/02 Marketing Campaign Manager
Ascom
Göteborg
13/02 Risk agent to Klarna's new team, Payment Operations
Klarna
Stockholm
13/02 Computer Support Specialist
European Spallation Source ESS AB
SKÅ
13/02 YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER FOOD PROCESSING
Tetra Pak
Lund
13/02 Manager Platform Program Purchasing
Tetra Pak
Lund
13/02 Inside Sales Assistant
TEMP-TEAM
Upplands Väsby
13/02 Key Account Manager Food
Borregaard
Sarpsborg

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE