Delegate Commission on Economic Affairs analyses result from Greek referendum

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The meeting was held one day ahead of the European Council meeting called for Tuesday afternoon in Brussels, at which European leaders will gather to discuss the Greek crisis.

Among others, Monday's meeting was attended by the Vice-President of the Government, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, and leaders from the economic affairs department and other senior members of the Government of Spain, such as the Director of the Economic Affairs Office of the Presidency of the Government and the State Secretaries for the Treasury and Economic Affairs.

The Greek referendum does not change any EU rules

EFEIn Valladolid, where she had travelled after the meeting of the Delegate Commission on Economic Affairs to attend the swearing in of Juan Vicente Herrera as President of the Regional Government of Castile and Leon, the Vice-President of the Government of Spain, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, expressed her complete "respect" for the results from the referendum held yesterday in Greece.

However, the government spokeswoman went on to add that the result from the public consultation "is not going to change the rules for Europe as a whole, which have been designed to govern for all and go far beyond the decisions of individual States". She also said that the referendum has not changed the serious problems that Greece has at the moment: recession, unemployment and the "bank freeze".

Furthermore, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría highlighted the "solidarity effort" being made by European Union citizens with Greece. In the case of Spanish citizens, this effort has been "enormous" because the 26 billion euros given by Spain to Greece "have come from their pockets", she said.

Departure by Greece from the Euro is a situation to be avoided

At a press briefing after the meeting of the Delegate Commission on Economic Affairs, the Spanish Minister for Economic Affairs and Competition, Luis de Guindos, expressed himself in similar terms.

EFEAfter highlighting the solidarity shown by the entire EU with Greece, he stressed that yesterday's "no" vote in the referendum makes everything more difficult. However, he added that Greece "forms part of the Euro and is fully entitled to request a third bailout programme" if the rules are followed strictly. He explained that Spain is open to dialogue with Greece.

Luis de Guindos also said that "we are fully committed to the stability of the Euro" and added that the irreversible nature of the single currency is "one of the basic principles, an element of protection that guarantees improved prosperity in Greece".

Furthermore, the Spanish Minister for Economic Affairs stressed that a departure by Greece from the Euro is a situation to be avoided. He also explained that Greece's problem is not so much one of debt reconstruction but rather implementation of the reforms needed by its economy. "It simply has to implement its reforms, just as Portugal, Ireland and Cyprus have done".

Luis de Guindos also rejected any economic or political comparison between Spain and Greece.