Foreign Minister against writing off Greece's debt

Any write-off of Greece's nominal debt is unacceptable for Slovakia, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák said after a session with the foreign affairs ministers of the Visegrad Four countries and Germany in Bratislava on Monday. He stressed that a new election doesn't do away with old commitments. "Slovakia is a country that has significantly felt the effects of European solidarity, but this needs to go hand in hand with responsibility", said Lajčák. In order for a sensible discussion on help for Athens, the EU needs to see a credible plan of Greek reforms. "We've not seen such a plan as yet", he added. German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Germany respects the new Greek government and understands its lack of commitment to stick to the policies of the previous government. "Having said that, promises made to the EU need to be upheld", he added.