Bailout can sustain Greek debt but risks remain: EU/IMF

Reuters , Tuesday 13 Mar 2012

Europe and IMF say the new financing package can help in the medium term but debt declines could be interrupted or even reversed by shocks

The package of new financing, debt restructuring and reforms can put Greek debt on a sustainable path, but Athens will have to stick to good policies until 2030 to make it work, an updated debt sustainability analysis by international lenders showed.

The analysis, prepared by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, showed that after the debt swap at the weekend, Greek debt could fall to 116.5 per cent of GDP in 2020 and below 90 per cent in 2030.

"Results show that the programme can place Greek debt on a sustainable trajectory," said the analysis, obtained by Reuters.

"However, there are significant risks that debt declines may be interrupted or even reversed by shocks. Under an alternative, less favourable scenario, the debt ratio in 2020 would still be above 145 per cent of GDP," the document said.

"Moreover, given the high prospective level and share of senior debt, the prospects for Greece to be able to return to the market at the end of the programme are uncertain," it said.

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