You're reading: Austria: Greek debt forgiveness last resort

VIENNA (AP) — Austria's finance minister says she considers forgiving Greece part of its multibillion euro debt only a "very last" option for eurozone nations.

Maria Fekter also says such a move could not be implemented until next year when rules governing such a procedure come into effect.

Fekter told reporters Monday that now "is not the time to think about whether debt forgiveness will be necessary. Maybe it won’t be necessary."

She also says she opposes expanding the powers of the euro440 billion ($595 billion) the European Financial Stability Facility with more taxpayer money.

Greece is currently being kept financially afloat by a €110 billion rescue package. Eurozone nations and financial institutions are finalizing details of an additional bailout of €109 billion.