Imagine an individual with heavy debts. He has to somehow pay them off. Sell his house, car etc. If someone helps him out, he has to give the person something in return. It is the same with a country. If the EU and other EU member states help Greece, they expect something in return.
One of the solutions suggested has been to sell Greece's islands. Greece has about 6000 islands with only 227 inhabited so the suggestion somehow makes sense. However, with massive budget cuts approved by the Greek parliament (see EURO gains strength as Greece announced spending cuts and tax increases), massive Union stikes ensued and if Greece is to announce the sale of its many islands, god knows what will happen.
The Greek islands are thought to be reasonably affordable at about £1.3m for a 30-acre site (An acre is equivalent to about 9/10 the size of a football field. You do the maths). This is because of the lack of basic amenities such as water supply and the high cost to the buyers of revamping the sites for habitation.
For the time being, Greek politicians are not up for selling the state owned unpopulated islands but when push comes to shove, selling them could become a reality.
