Greek delay dangerous, PM warns (From Ilkley Gazette)

Greek delay dangerous, PM warns

12:48pm Monday 18th June 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Prime Minister David Cameron has urged successful parties in Sunday's Greek elections to move swiftly to form a government, warning that delay could be "very dangerous".

His comments came as he arrived in Mexico for a G20 summit of the world's leading economies which will be dominated by the crisis in the eurozone and the fallout from the polls.

Before leaving London, Mr Cameron held a conference call with the leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Spain as well as the presidents of the European Commission and European Council.

It is understood that the leaders were encouraged by the results of the ballot, which saw the centre-right New Democracy party outpoll the far-left Syriza in an outcome which makes Greek departure from the euro less likely.

But there is now a sense of urgency about New Democracy - which is signed up to the austerity programme demanded in a memorandum setting out the terms of Greece's multibillion-euro bailout - forming a coalition government in Athens.

Mr Cameron said: "The outcome of the Greek election looks clear in terms of a commitment to stay in the eurozone and to accept the terms of the memorandum.

"But I think those parties that want that to happen can't afford to delay and position themselves.

"If you are a Greek political party and want to stay in the eurozone and accept the consequences that follow you have got to get on with it and help form a government. A delay could be very dangerous."