Juncker Says 'No' Vote Will Weaken Greek Position

A "No" vote in the Greek referendum on European bailout proposals would dramatically weaken Greece's position in debt negotiations, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday.



Speaking to reporters in Luxembourg to mark the beginning of the country's six-month EU presidency, Juncker said: "If the Greeks vote 'No', the Greek position is dramatically weakened.



"The program has come to an end, there are no negotiations underway. If the Greeks vote 'No' they have done everything but strengthening the Greek negotiation position.



"Even in the case of a 'Yes' vote, we'll have to face difficult negotiations."



Eurogroup chairman and Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem echoed Juncker's comments after a meeting of the Dutch Cabinet on Friday, saying that Greece's future is tough regardless of the referendum outcome.



"Any politician who says that wouldn't be necessary in the case of a 'No' vote is making a fool of his people," Dijsselbloem said, referring to the difficult fiscal measures facing Greece. - Brüksel