The German Minister of Finances Wolfgang Schäuble argued that it is not in the Greek government’s interests to dispute the involvement of the International Monetary Fund in the bailout program.

The ‘warning’ came in response to recent statements by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who claimed that the IMF’s role is not constructive. According to Reuters, the German Minister was asked about the Greek PM’s statements on the sidelines of the Ecofin meeting. Mr. Schäuble’s caution came in response to a Monday-evening interview with PM Tsipras, where he argued that the IMF has unrealistic demands from Greece and that Europe should deal with its problems on its own.

On Monday the Greek PM argued that the IMF’s involvement is mostly symbolic, especially since the recent bank recapitalization required less financing that initially estimated. As such, the IMF’s share in the bank recapitalization has been covered. PM Tsipras also accused the IMF of demanding difficult reforms when it is fully aware that neither the political system nor society can endure.

The spokesperson for the Greek government Olga Gerovasili was highly critical of Mr. Schäuble’s statements and called the German Ministry of Finances to distinguish itself from the “unacceptably harsh stance of the IMF”, adding that “Europe can and has a duty to solve its problems on its own”.