Athens, summer 2013

• FlickR/ Niels Linneberg

Following a last-minute decision from EP President Martin Schulz and Greek Prime Minister Samaras to postpone a delegation of Economic Affairs (ECON) committee MEPs to Greece, the GUE/NGL Group has condemned that this important visit has been pushed back.

"The aim of the visit was to shed light on the work of the Troika in the country, and it is a real shame that such an important European Parliament delegation won't be going ahead as planned this week," said GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer.

She continued: "This sudden decision contradicts the last Conference of Presidents meeting where these Troika investigations by the EP were discussed. I have contacted Martin Schulz demanding an explanation about how this decision was taken."

"This is not a great start to Greece's six-month turn at the rotating EU Presidency. Let's hope that as we move on into the year this Presidency can be used to highlight the real damage that Troika policies have had on the lives of Greeks."

GUE/NGL MEP Jürgen Klute, who represents GUE/NGL in the enquiry team, commented: "By launching an enquiry into the work undertaken by the Troika, MEPs have assumed a crucial and delicate task. Since the start of the enquiry the European Council and the IMF have made it clear that they are not interested in democratic accountability and transparency. It is extremely unfortunate and disappointing for citizens that MEPs give in so quickly when faced with this type of blatant opposition to any form of investigation."

He added: "There is an urgent need for serious and in-depth investigations into the huge social, economic and democratic harm that has been caused in Troika programme countries. Parliament has to prove that it is up to the task and lead the work of serious investigation."