Interview By Vasilis Kostoulas
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- Tax evasion causing high taxes - The recent agreement provides “oxygen” and visibility - Only confidence will bring investments - The emphasis is now on reforms - Fiscal adjustment is not enough - The IMF is ready to participate in the program - A combination of tools for the Greek debt - France will take care of the debt
French Finance Minister Michel Sapin was clear in his message to Greek leadership this week: stamp out tax evasion and jumpstart reforms, among others. The influential Eurozone finance minister arrived in Athens accompanying French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
“It’s not my job to express an opinion over the Greek government’s choices in matters of tax policy … but what counts is for everyone to pay what they owe in taxes,” Sapin told “N”.
“Now, without any slackening of efforts (in fiscal adjustment), attention must be focused on the implementation of reforms that the Greek economy needs, and the investments that it needs as well,” he said, while adding that the Eurogroup meeting of May 24 provided Athens with “oxygen and visibility”, catch-phrases for necessary financing and economic prospects.
In terms of much-needed investments, he said a restoration of confidence is the key, beyond any of the country rankings that are issued annually.
Asked about the resurgent issue of the Greek debt, he reiterated that creditors have committed, in writing no less, to a restructuring through a combination of tools, but not a “haircut”. In fact, he said France “will take care of this” issue.
Moreover, he estimated that the IMF is ready to decide its continued participation in the Greek bailout program.
