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Rehn warns against Cyprus' eurozone exit

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Published 04 March 2013

EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn warned yesterday (3 March) against a Cypriot exit from the eurozone and said all countries in the single currency bloc were systemically important.

"Even if you come from a big EU country, you should be aware that every member of the eurozone is systemically relevant," Rehn was quoted as saying in Der Spiegel - a thinly veiled criticism of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, who has questioned whether the tiny island is systemically relevant.

"If Cyprus becomes disorderly insolvent, it is very likely that would lead to it exiting the eurozone," Rehn added.

He said eurozone countries' promise to do everything to keep the 17-nation currency bloc intact had calmed financial markets and added that this success should not be jeopardised.

The Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers will discuss a bailout for Cyprus at its meeting in Brussels on Monday. The island needs €8-10 billion to recapitalise its banks and €7 billion to repay loans and finance government operations.

European policymakers are split over how to handle a bailout of Cyprus, with Germany and some other countries pushing for bank depositors to bear part of the cost and many other member states worried such a move will cause a bank run.

Rehn said the European Commission was against a haircut, or imposed losses on Cypriot banks and savers.

"We are not striving to involve savers. I am sure we can find a solution which accommodates the doubts of all euro zone countries," he was quoted as saying.

Rehn also said Europe needed to stick to austerity measures in spite of calls after a deadlocked Italian vote to spend more to encourage growth.

"Given that, on average, debt exceeds 90% of gross domestic product in the EU, I don't think there's any room for manoeuvre to leave the path of budgetary consolidation," he said.

"We won't solve our growth problems by piling new debt on top of our old debt."

He said the French government needed to consider how to bring its excessive public spending under control, adding that the eurozone's second biggest economy had so far had focused too much on raising taxes rather than making spending cuts.

EurActiv.com with Reuters

COMMENTS

  • If a country is not able to contribute to the stability and trustworthiness of the seemingly existential euro, a no-bailout is the only right answer. Any compromise will only backfire, holding other countries, which still have the potential for economic growth, strangled in a quagmire of political interests.

    By :
    Willem, a Dutchman
    - Posted on :
    04/03/2013
  • You are right, Willem - but unfortunately fudge will be the usual EU/EZ response, kicking the can down the road. See today's AP report about today's EZ meeting, where 'EU officials' are making it clear that it is very unlikely that any decisions will be taken on Cyprus, France, Greece, etc etc. I predict that France will be given more time to 'bring its excessive public spending under control' - as compensation, will France be asked to agree to end the EP having to meet in Strasburg as well as Brussels, which involves huge costs? Of course, the answer is NO!!! Although the EP and all other governments agree to it, France will protect its 'national interest', and the EU will pay for it.

    By :
    Robert Skailes
    - Posted on :
    04/03/2013
  • It is hard to see how Cyprus can be described as systemically important. It has a tiny economy and is far too dependent on Russian capital from obscure sources.

    There is in any case a strong argument that Cyprus should never have been allowed to join while the island remains divided.

    The EU should let it go.

    By :
    Jonathan Price
    - Posted on :
    11/03/2013
Background: 

The entire island of Cyprus is officially EU territory, but the country is divided. Turkey, an EU candidate, doesn’t recognise the Republic of Cyprus and has occupied the northern part of the island since 1974.

Cyprus is heavily exposed to the Greek crisis and needs to salvage its banking system, which in recent years has become a haven for rich Russians.

Eight months of inconclusive talks on a bailout package have turned tiny Cyprus into a big headache for the eurozone, triggering fears of a financial collapse that reignites the bloc's debt crisis.

Nicos Anastasiades, who won a resounding victory in the February elections, promised to “restore the credibility of Cyprus”. He faces weeks of difficult talks with foreign lenders on a financial rescue for the nation. 

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