Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter  Follow us on LinkedIn
 

25 March 2013

Sharon Bowles on Cyprus deal


MEP Sharon Bowles, Chair of the European Parliament's ECON committee, welcomed the agreement on Cyprus, particularly the recognition that banks can fail and that the deposit guarantee principle must be upheld.

Sharon Bowles said:

I welcome the new agreement reached earlier today on the Cyprus bail-out, since it is based on a proper hierarchy of losses and on the acceptance that a bank can fail. This is in line with the direction of EU policy and legislation. The deal will however have adverse effects on business and the economy, which, on top of the loss of banking income will need urgent support.

I am also glad that EU principles have been upheld: the euro area has reaffirmed that all insured depositors in all banks will be fully protected.

The Bank of Cyprus now needs to find stability soon. I note that the reference to determining losses by the end of the programme is too vague and there is a pressing need to recapitalise Bank of Cyprus to reduce uncertainty and allow capital controls to be lifted.

Citizens and markets are puzzled with the degree of improvisation that eurozone leaders have shown. Shaky agreements that last less than 48 hours are very costly for everybody and lead to an explosive political situation. No system and no structure can afford to be in a permanent state of emergency.

Press release



© European Parliament


< Next Previous >
Key
 Hover over the blue highlighted text to view the acronym meaning
Hover over these icons for more information



Add new comment