The German economic minister and deputy chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has been speaking to Bild am Sonntag in an article published this morning
Gabriel has previously said that he wants Greece to stay in the Eurozone and now adds that that a referendum in Greece could perhaps speed up the reform process, a view also expressed by "Mr Happy" Wolfgang Schaeuble last Monday
Gabriel stressed that the government needed to take action in any case:
"A third aid package for Athens is only possible if the reforms are implemented. We can't simply send money there."
He warned about the consequences of Greece quitting the single currency bloc, saying:
"A Greek exit would not only be highly dangerous economically but also politically."
Gabriel said if one country were to leave the euro zone, the rest of the world would look at Europe differently:
"Nobody would have any confidence in Europe anymore if we break up in our first big crisis. We shouldn't talk ourselves into a Grexit."
Reuters reporting as the sorry saga continues
