ATHENS, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Greece has a Plan B regarding Cypriot banks operating in the country to minimize any repercussions from the Cyprus financial crisis, Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said on Wednesday in Athens.
"Cypriot banks cannot remain closed for a long time; otherwise the Cypriot economy will be destroyed. A solution needs to be clinched within the next few hours, otherwise Greece will do what it must do," Stournaras stressed, addressing the Greek parliament.
He assured that deposits in Cypriot banks in Greece, as well as Greek banks or other banks in the country, are safeguarded, commenting after Nicosia's assembly turned down Eurogroup's plan to impose a levy on deposits in the Cypriot banking system in exchange of bailout aid to avoid a disorderly default.
"In case Cyprus will not present an alternative plan so that Cypriot banks will open again, Greece has a Plan B to minimize the impact. We are taking measures," the Greek official underlined, without giving details.
He reaffirmed the interest of Greek lenders to takeover Cypriot bank branches operating in Greece and repeated that Greece's public debt will not be affected by developments in Cyprus.
Cypriot bank branches in Greece will remain shut also on Thursday and Friday under Central Bank of Cyprus' decision, the Greek Finance Ministry announced in a press release. Cypriot bank branches in Greece remained closed on Tuesday and Wednesday in line with Nicosia.
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