EC VP Dombrovskis says refugee crisis does not give Greece free pass on economic obligations

European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said Greece has to fulfill its financial obligations by passing all the prerequisite economic measures outlined in the agreed bailout plan, despite the refugee crisis. Dombrovskis called on the Greek government to push forward with reforms in the pensions, taxation and privatisations in order to allow the assessment to be completed. ‘We recognise the Greek government is facing serious challenges and the Commission is offering assistance for the dealing with the refugee crisis’, said Dombrovskis, but added that the conditions regarding the negotiations have already been set. On the issue of when Greece’s creditors would return to Athens to continue talks, he said that they were expected on April 2. Finally, Dombrovskis said the bank deposits seemed to be on a recovery path.