Greece should show it has taken steps to get its public finances in order before external help can be given, European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said in an interview on Austrian television on Sunday.

Nowotny declined to comment directly on what will happen at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Monday where Greece will be the main topic.

But he said in principle all eurozone states must work on such problems first before external help is possible.

When this is the case, then it is possible to apply external help measures, Nowotny told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

He said that members of the eurozone gained many benefits and so they also had important responsibilities.

Those who are members of the club should keep to the rules, he said.

(Reporting by Sylvia Westall; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

European union European central bank