Athens, 6 September 2010 (MIA) - Slovakian Prime Minister Iveta Radicova, whose country refused to contribute to a 110-billion-euro bailout of Greece, said on Sunday banks had to "pay" for the debt crisis that shook the eurozone.

"We will support proposals to handle the Greek crisis if they include the banks," Radicova said in an interview with Greek daily To Vima.

"It is unacceptable if they do not participate in the financial aid as they are directly responsible for the situation. They must pay," she said.

The parliament of Slovakia, the eurozone's poorest member, in August voted against contributing to the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout of Greece agreed in May.

According to Radicova, if the country had loaned the 800 million euros (one billion dollars) that was requested, its budget deficit would have reached 9.5 percent of gross domestic product.

The Slovakian premier said blame for the crisis rested with previous Greek governments, as well as "credit rating agencies and the lack of control at European institutions".

The European Commission has expressed its regret over Slovakia's refusal to contribute to the bailout.