I am not a politician but I have dedicated the biggest part of my professional life to economic policy both in Greece and Europe.

Our eurozone partners have made it clear: The choice is between staying in or getting out of the eurozone.

The government is determined to continue the process of fiscal consolidation and structural reform in order to secure sound public finances and improve the country's international competitiveness.

I think it's often discussed that leaving the Euro is an option for Greece. I think this is really not an option.

The ECB's interventions in sovereign bond markets should not be perceived or interpreted as a 'freebie' for governments. They are temporary.

I think the facts reveal that the European partners have taken extraordinary measures to help Greece address its problems.

I am convinced that the public, large majority of the Greek people, realize that policies pursued in the past and the market practices have to be changed, in order to improve the prospects of the Greek economy. So there is, I think, strong public support despite the increases in social tensions.