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Portuguese PM urges Greece to avoid third bailout

Xinhua, March 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece should conclude its bailout program and avoid a third bailout, Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho said on Tuesday.

"The negotiation process that opened within the Eurogroup to enable Greece to conclude its program, must be handled correctly," he said at a press conference at an intergovernmental conference between Portugal and Turkey at the Necessidades Palace in Lisbon, according to Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

"It's very important for the stability of the euro zone and for the European Union that the program in Greece ends," he added.

The Eurogroup recently decided to extend the Greek bailout for four more months. It was expected to end on Feb. 28.

Passos Coelho said that the country should avoid a third bailout, adding that it was "essential" for the country to conclude the program they are faced with.

"I hope that the opportunities granted, following the Greek government's adequate request, are properly harnessed so that Greece can conclude its negotiations, close this phase, and if it wishes to do so, be in another situation." Endit