Dutch FM: Greek proposals need to be closely examined

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Dutch Finance Minister and Eurogroup chairman, calls the new austerity proposals the Greek government handed in on Thursday "a comprehensive piece of text" that has to be closely examined to determine its quality, NOS reports. "It has to be examined whether the proposals really strengthen the economic structure." The proposal includes, among other things, VAT increases and pension reforms. According to the Finance Minister, the proposals are currently being examined by experts from the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Dijsselbloem said that it helps that the Greek Parliament seems to agree with the plan. "If there is broad support in Greece, gives it more credibility, but even then we have to see if the proposals are good."