The European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has issued a statement in which he has expressed his concerns with regard to the current situation in Greece. He has appealed for national and political unity in Greece. He also issued a joint statement with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy in which they took note of the intention of the Greek authorities to hold a referendum.

European Commission President Barroso made a statement regarding the situation in Greece before arriving at the G20 in Cannes. He expressed his concerns regarding the current situation in Greece. He made a very urgent and heartfelt appeal for national and political unity in Greece. He also reminded that the EU have agreed on far reaching measures to support Greece. But, according to Mr Barroso, for those measures to be implemented it is critically important to have stability in the country.

Together with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, Mr Barroso made a joint statement in which took note of the intention of the Greek authorities to hold a referendum. Both Presidents insisted in their conviction that this agreement is the best for Greece. They also reminded to the Greek authorities that during the summit of 27 October, the Heads of State or Government of the Eurozone agreed on the establishment of a new program for Greece of €100 billion funded by the EU and the IMF. An agreement was reached with the private sector to bring Greek debt on to a sustainable path, which provides for a discount of 50% of the debt held by private creditors, or a write-off in the order of €100 billion.

However, bearing in mind the intention of Greek government of holding a referendum, Barroso warns that without the agreement of Greece to the EU/IMF programme, the conditions for Greek citizens would become much more painful, in particular for the most vulnerable. The consequences would be impossible to foresee. President of the Commission therefore calls on the government and the political leaders of Greece to show that they are ready to work for national political unity and for achieving the broad support needed for the implementation of the programme. He also reminds that the Commission has been asking for this kind of support since the beginning of the crisis.