There has been broad media speculation about Greece's possible eurozone exit recently, as Athens was reportedly considering defaulting on its immense debt, which stands at in excess of $350 billion, to international creditors. The Balkan country is now being pressed to implement reforms to unlock the next bailout package.
"The thought of Grexit does not even enter my mind," Pavlopoulos told Germany's Der Spiegel. The president added that Greece made huge efforts to join Europe in the 1970s, that is why it is "not conceivable to see Greece outside of Europe."
"Some of the measures imposed on us go beyond EU law," Pavlopoulos said.
In February, Greek authorities and EU finance ministers agreed to extend the country's bailout for four months. Greece promised to implement a range of economic reforms, but its left-wing government elected in January has been seeking to relieve some of the austerity measures. To date, no progress has been reached in the bailout talks. The current aid package for Greece expires at the end of June.
