Dutch FinMin relieved by Greek economy plan

Greece’s decision to implement a far-reaching programme of financial cuts has averted "enormous problems", the Netherlands’ Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager has said. He told reporters on Wednesday that the support expressed by Athens’ parliament was "good news".

The Greek MPs’ yes vote will have a positive impact on financial stability in the rest of the world, Mr De Jager suggested. "The money which governments are now lending to Greece should in the end be repaid." The Dutch minister emphasised that the banking sector should contribute to the solution of Greece’s insolvency.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Greek euro crisis made a brief appearance in the Dutch Lower House. The Freedom Party PVV, a key supporter of the centre-right minority coalition, threatened to withdraw its support if the cabinet was forced to make extra budget cuts as a result of Greece going bankrupt. The situation was defused by Minister De Jager’s assurances that a bankruptcy of Greece would not affect the Netherlands’ role as a creditor.