Lucas Papademos's Quotes

I think the gains to be achieved by a combination of reforms and labor market adjustments are going to be more permanent and will provide a basis for reducing unemployment and improving export performance, and sustaining growth, in a way that is more sound and permanent.

In the 20 years before Greece end up with the Euro, efforts to improve competitiveness through exchange rate and adjustments resulted only in temporary gains of competitiveness.

Our membership of the euro is a guarantee of monetary stability and creates the right conditions for sustainable growth. Our membership of the euro is the only choice.

Our position in Europe is not negotiable. The Greek people will defend it by all means. But participation in the euro involves rules and obligations, which we must consistently meet. Greece belongs to Europe and Europe cannot be envisaged without Greece.

The financial crisis in our country is not a passing storm. Given the size of the problems, our national effort will not be completed in 2012. It will take many years and will require the efforts and insistence of several governments.

The government is determined to continue the process of fiscal consolidation and structural reform in order to secure sound public finances and improve the country's international competitiveness.

My job will not be easy but I am convinced the problems will be solved in a quicker and more efficient way if there is unity and consensus.

The new co-operation government will do the best it can to address the country's problems, and I believe that with the co-operation of all - and the new government stresses this - and the unity of all, we will achieve that.

Dealing with Greece's problems will be more difficult if Greece is not a member of the eurozone.

Delays in granting of justice very often reduce the speed with which investment could be undertaken, discouraging investors.

Greece could default on its debts and even exit currency bloc if it cannot deliver reforms.

I am not a politician but I have dedicated the biggest part of my professional life to economic policy both in Greece and Europe.

I think achieving a higher fiscal stability is also a very important condition for restoring an environment which is conducive to growth.

I think it's often discussed that leaving the Euro is an option for Greece. I think this is really not an option.

I think the facts reveal that the European partners have taken extraordinary measures to help Greece address its problems.

More cuts were needed to avoid exiting the eurozone.

Our eurozone partners have made it clear: The choice is between staying in or getting out of the eurozone.

So it won't be a surprise when the Greek default actually happens and we expect it one way or the other to be relatively soon.

The ECB's interventions in sovereign bond markets should not be perceived or interpreted as a 'freebie' for governments. They are temporary.

The participation of our country in the eurozone is a guarantee for the country's monetary stability. It is a driver of financial prosperity.

We must all assume out responsibilities to take the country forward.

A very difficult year is ahead of us. We must continue our efforts with decisiveness, to stay in the euro, to make sure we do not waste the sacrifices and do not turn the crisis into an uncontrolled and disastrous bankruptcy.

And judging what is appropriate or not appropriate for a country, I think it is important in particular in judging what is the appropriate economic policy framework, one should take into account the overall political environment and the institutional framework within which economic policy operates.