Lucas Papademos

I am not a politician but I have dedicated the biggest part of my professional life to economic policy both in Greece and Europe.

My job will not be easy but I am convinced the problems will be solved in a quicker and more efficient way if there is unity and consensus.

Delays in granting of justice very often reduce the speed with which investment could be undertaken, discouraging investors.

I am confident that we can overcome this crisis, provided that we remain united in our effort to address our debt and competitiveness problems. And I think that the Greek people are united; it's important also that the political forces are united in line with the will of the Greek people.

And judging what is appropriate or not appropriate for a country, I think it is important in particular in judging what is the appropriate economic policy framework, one should take into account the overall political environment and the institutional framework within which economic policy operates.

The participation of our country in the eurozone is a guarantee for the country's monetary stability. It is a driver of financial prosperity.

Governments cannot assume or expect that the ECB will always facilitate their funding independently of the achievement of their fiscal and other policy objectives.

The financial crisis in our country is not a passing storm. Given the size of the problems, our national effort will not be completed in 2012. It will take many years and will require the efforts and insistence of several governments.

Greece could default on its debts and even exit currency bloc if it cannot deliver reforms.

The government is determined to continue the process of fiscal consolidation and structural reform in order to secure sound public finances and improve the country's international competitiveness.

The ECB's interventions in sovereign bond markets should not be perceived or interpreted as a 'freebie' for governments. They are temporary.

More cuts were needed to avoid exiting the eurozone.