Greece's last chance - eurozone chief Jean-Claude Juncker
Eurozone finance chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said the Greek people have to be aware the country is facing its "last chance".
After a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Mr
Juncker praised the nation's "tremendous efforts" so far to cut its
deficit.But he said "priority number one" was further consolidation of the public finances of Greece.
He added that Athens must put in place economic and structural reforms.
These include changes to the labour market, and the relaunching of privatisation programmes which have been promised but not enacted.
Greek premier Mr Samaras promised that Greece would finalise a package of cuts worth 11.5bn euros ($14bn) in the next few weeks.
The Greek premier wants an extension of up to two years to implement those painful cuts.
But Mr Juncker, who is also Luxembourg's Prime Minister, said a decision on that would depend on a report from Greece's main lenders, due next month.
"I have to underline this will depend on the findings of the troika mission and we have to discuss the length of the period and other dimensions," Mr Juncker told a news conference while sitting alongside Mr Samaras
