By Ilgin Karlidag
BRUSSELS
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has admitted he is "worried" over the pace of Greece’s debt negotiations as the deadline approaches for Athens to receive its next tranche of bailout cash - or else run out of funds.
Juncker’s comments came on Wednesday as Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras scolded European figures for criticizing a new anti-poverty law being put forward in Greece, hours before it was voted on.
Juncker told a news conference in Brussels: "I continue to be worried I’m not happy with the progress that has been achieved over the last few days."
"I'd like everyone to get a grip on themselves."
- Law defended
While EU Economics Commissioner Pierre Moscovici denied the bloc was trying to stop Athens from passing the anti-poverty law, which offers food stamps and free electricity to the poor, Tsipras defended the bill.
Tsipras told the Greek Parliament on Wednesday: "If they're doing it to frighten us, the answer is: we will not be frightened."
"The Greek government is determined to stick to the Feb. 20 agreement. However, we demand the same from our partners. Let them stop unilateral actions, respecting the agreement they signed."
British television channel Channel 4 earlier reported that Declan Costello, the head of the European Commission’s Directorate for Economic and Financial Affairs had told the Greek government in a letter not to proceed with the parliamentary vote.
- Austerity measures
Greece and its international creditors agreed on Feb. 20 to extend its unpopular bailout program by four months in exchange for Athens not rolling back on austerity measures.
However, tension between Greece and the Euro group flared amid worries Greece could exit the euro zone and a war of words from both sides over the bailout program ensued.
EU heads of government are set to meet on Thursday and Friday in Brussels to discuss Greece’s debt with its international creditors.
