Spanish minister softens on Greek euro membership

SPAIN’S Economy Minister Luis de Guindos is taking a softer line on Greece’s membership of the euro than that previously pushed by Prime Minster Mariano Rajoy.
Speaking on Monday (July 6), De Guindos said that for the “stability of the euro,” Spain was prepared to discuss a third bailout for Greece. He said he hoped Greece would do all it could to remain part of the single currency, which he described as an “irreversible project.”
The minister’s comments appear to contradict the line taken by Rajoy prior to the Greek referendum, who had indicated that a ‘no’ vote would lead to Greece leaving the euro.
De Guindos was speaking at an economy ministry meeting on Monday, before European finance ministers and national leaders began a long day of discussions on the crisis on Tuesday.