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EU says "not concerned" about bailout implementation after Tsipras' resignation

Xinhua, August 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) said Friday that it was not concerned about the implementation of Greece's third bailout program, a day after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced his resignation and called a snap election.

"The commission respects the decision of Prime Minister Tsipras to go to the polls swiftly. For us, it was not a surprise," said Annika Breidthardt, coordinating spokesperson for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission, or the executive body of the EU.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has had "repeated phone calls" with Tsipras and Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and, as such, "we expected it," Breidthardt told a press briefing.

As the Greek parliament has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a third bailout package for Greece, the spokesperson said reforms have been decided and can be implemented immediately.

"The Commission considers it important that there is full backing for the stability support for the program just signed by Greece," Breidthardt said, adding that "Regardless of elections, reforms can now be implemented."

"There is no need for a new political decision for the reform to be implemented," Breidthardt noted. Endit