Econ minister denies reports regarding non-performing loans as 'fantasies'

Gazzetta team 13 Οκτωβρίου 2015 - 16:55

Economy, Development and Tourism Minister George Stathakis on Tuesday strenuously denied making any reference to the handling of non-performing loans during a press conference the previous day, dismissing reports on the issue as "fantasies" of main opposition New Democracy and certain journalists.

"The issue is in the process of being negotiated with the partners and is of course linked to the process for recapitalising the banks. Consequently, when this process is completed there will be the relevant legislative measures. For the time being, there is no question of making announcements," he said in a statement to the ANA-MPA.

The government had "established a more protective framework for dialogue and had averted solutions that would have had disastrous consequences," he added.

The minister pointed out that the 'Katseli' law had been modified over the summer so as to include debts to the tax office, as well as to banks, and the criteria widened to take in the self-employed and entrepreneurs, while its general framework had been rationalised.

He also pointed to improvements in the legislation for company loans in terms of settlements both in and outside the courts.

Stathakis said the government had plans to set up an independent authority to monitor the creditworthiness of individuals and legal entities, with full respect for the handling of personal privacy. He also noted that after negotiations with the institutions and relevant studies, the government will examine the possibility of establishing a management body for NPLs, under certain conditions, in combination with other legal tools.