Greece exit would not end euro, says EU commissioner
Baku, February 7 (AZERTAC). Pressure is rising on Greece's national unity government to agree tough reforms demanded by the country's lenders.
The EU, IMF and European Central Bank have made further spending cuts, labour market reforms and bank rescues a condition of extending a new bailout.
European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes told a Dutch newspaper that there would be "absolutely no man overboard" if Greece left the euro.
Greek party leaders meet on Tuesday afternoon amid a general strike.
A previous meeting on Sunday night proved inconclusive, leading to further last-minute talks between Prime Minister Lukas Papademos and the Troika of official lenders on Monday.
Meanwhile, public transport and the country's ports ground to a halt as two of the largest Greek public-sector unions began a strike on Tuesday in protest at continuing austerity.
The Greek economy is expected to suffer a fifth consecutive year of recession this year, and has already shrunk 12% since 2008.
There has been growing speculation that eurozone leaders are preparing the way for a Greek exit from the single currency.
Fears have most recently focused on Portugal, whose government is rumoured to be sounding out lenders about a restructuring of its own heavy debtload.
As part of Greece's new 130bn euro ($170bn; £110bn) bailout deal, private sector lenders have agreed to write off up to 70% of the value of the money that the Greek government currently owes them.
He was speaking after meetings with EU, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank delegates.
Mr Venizelos went on to criticise the political parties for not reaching a deal with the nation's benefactors.
Greece was bailed out once in 2010 and another bailout deal was agreed last year by the EU and IMF.
Athens needs the 130bn euros from the latter bailout and help from private lenders to avoid a debt default.
Deadlines have come and gone during the negotiations, but Greece faces one unavoidable deadline on 20 March - a 14.4bn euros debt repayment that it cannot currently afford to pay.
On Monday, Greece agreed to pass a new law allowing more government employees to be fired - it is likely to lead to 15,000 civil service jobs being cut.
But Public Sector Reform Minister Dimitris Reppas said he was "opposed to indiscriminate firings".
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