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Member-states choose not to blow everything out of the water not because they believe in the importance of the European project per se but because they are afraid of greater losses.

' Governments around the world would need to mobilise at least $2.5 trillion to support developing nations. Rich countries have shown that at this time of crisis they can mobilize trillions of dollars to support their own economies'

The Netherlands, alone in its tough stance, wants stricter conditions, including country-specific economic criteria, that are politically unacceptable for Rome, because they would make it look as being under EU economic supervision, even though the pandemic is not Italy’s fault.

Europe is an economic superpower and it cannot afford to disregard it citizens who are facing major trials. It matters little whether they speak Greek, Italian, or German.

The ideal of solidarity upon which the European projected was founded is being put to the test in a most palpable manner.

All measures will be in effect through April 27 and will be enforced on a 24-hour basis.

Christos Staikouras expects huge differences between larger member-states to be bridged at a second Eurogroup meeting tomorrow.

We must show strength and virtues such as patience to proceed with the greatest degree of safety as we approach a gradual lifting of the restrictive measures.

Much like her predecessor Mario Draghi, ECB chief Christine Lagarde has declared she will do anything necessary to shore up the eurozone and temper the economic shock of the pandemic.

The Health Ministry’spokesman, Professor Sotiris Tsiodras today announced 77 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Greece in the last 24 hours, and two deaths.

'I hope we will get progress on a coronabond tonight, but more realistically is probably some kind of rescue fund in the making. It should be the minimum of what we can expect,” said Piet Haines Christiansen, a top financial analyst.

The prospect of Turkey exporting its internal problems - whether by sending into Greece’s or Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic zones a hydrocarbons research vessel or by creating strong migrant flows toward Greece - is not unlikely.

For Greece, which by all accounts has done well since the start of this public health crisis, it would be suicidal to blow everything out of the water due to laxity.

“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary,” Downing Street said.

Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias reiterated that April is "a difficult and critical month" and current positive developments "could be reversed at any moment".

It is not easy at difficult moments to be magnanimous. Yet it is at such times that generosity characterises great leadership, as did the perceptiveness and moral leadership of Chancellor Angela Merkel during the refugee crisis of 2015.

We therefore propose that we work together quickly to ensure sufficient liquidity in all European Union countries, so that jobs do not depend on the whims of speculators.

The wealthy states of Northern Europe and especially Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland continue to stubbornly refuse to adopt bold economic measures in the midst of a deadly pandemic.

'The issuance of one-off coronabonds is one possibility, There are other instruments that could be used, like an EU rescue fund or measures involving the ESM or the European Investment Bank,' says Isabel Schnabel.

'The unity, determination and discipline that the Greek society has shown overwhelmingly to date has allowed us to follow a different course from most other countries,' Civil Protection Underminister Nikos Hardalias said.