site.bta Deputy PM Kuneva: "Greek Crisis Will Impact Bulgarian Economy"

Deputy PM Kuneva: "Greek Crisis Will Impact Bulgarian Economy"

Sofia, July 8 (BTA) - "The Greek crisis will have economic
consequences for Bulgaria, we are trading with our neighbours,
there are Bulgarians working there, and if they re-enter the
Bulgarian labour market, unemployment may increase. We are ready
 with a proposal to the European Commission for additional job
creation support," Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Meglena
Kuneva told journalists here on Wednesday, asked for comment on
the situation in Greece.

In her opinion, it is a good idea to extend a de facto
recognition of the qualifications that those people have
attained while working there, as Deputy Prime Minister and
Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivailo Kalfin has suggested.
Another concern is whether the Greeks will manage to co-finance
the joint projects, such as the gas interconnector. "I would
like to have firm guarantees that the project will not be halted
 halfway through because Greece cannot finance its share,"
Kuneva commented.

The Deputy PM expects political consequences for Bulgaria as
well. "If a country practically fails and cannot be stabilized,
a signal goes not only to our Greek neighbours, but also to
Slovaks, the Baltics, and Bulgaria, too, apart from the
effectiveness of the measures that the European Commission can
take," Kuneva noted. She does not think the Eurozone has been
designed to endure such pressure, which means that the treaties
may have to be revised.

"I think that the Greeks are strong people, avowed Europeans,
and will find an honourable way out of this situation, which
means honouring their commitments," Kuneva added.