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"Our
priority is the recapitalization of the banks so there will be
stability in the economy, and secondly concluding the assessment
(with lenders) and starting discussions over debt," Tsakalotos
told reporters.
They were his first public comments since he was reappointed
finance minister by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in a new
government sworn in on Wednesday morning.
The first review of Greece's 86 billion euro ($95.70 billion)
bailout program starts next month.
"Our priority is to negotiate the debt issue, immediately after
the review is concluded," added George Chouliarakis, the deputy
finance minister.
Greece's leftist government says the economy cannot recover from
one of the worst depressions to hit an industrialized country in
modern times unless the burden of servicing its debt is eased.
Some European governments, particularly Germany, are opposed to
writing off part of Greece's debt but less averse to stretching
out its repayment schedule.
Euro zone officials told Reuters last week that governments were
ready to cap Greece's annual debt-servicing costs at 15 percent
of its economic output over the long term, so that nominal
payments would be lower if the Greek economy struggles.
(Reporting By George Georgiopoulos and Lefteris Papadimas,
writing by Michele Kambas Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
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