- Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Finance Minister
Greece pushed through the bond swap offer averting the immediate threat of an uncontrolled default and opening the way for a second rescue package.
"The debt-swap results show that international markets see the prospects the Greek economy has to regain a sustainable fiscal situation," Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told lawmakers in Athens. Participation "surpassed expectations," he said.
"Today, after a very long time, is a very good day (for the country) as well as for me personally," Venizelos told lawmakers, saying the deal had cut Greece's debt burden by 105 billion euros.
"I hope everyone will realize, sooner or later, that this is the only way to keep the country on its feet and give it the second historic chance that it needs."
© Dukascopy Bank