The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras presented the Greek government’s positions at the EU Summit held in Brussels, which concluded shortly after 11pm on Thursday. Mr. Tsipras explained that the talks will continue on Friday, in order to come to an agreement by Monday.
According to Mr. Tsipras, the discussions took place in a climate of “understanding” and while no agreement was reached, he stressed that “important steps” were made towards a bridge program. He underlined that nobody was interested in a falling out, simply to confirm obsessions and fulfill petty political considerations.
Regarding the reforms included in the bailout agreement, Mr. Tsipras explained that they were counter-productive and did not contribute towards the creation of an effective rule of law. He also stressed that the hard fiscal consolidation in Greece was unique. Mr. Tsipras accused Spain (without naming it however) for externalizing its domestic political considerations, jeopardizing European unity.
The Greek PM explained that the political change in Greece was an opportunity for growth to return to European and that it is in everyone’s interest for Greece to succeed, as it will signal the end of the crisis in the EU and Eurozone. Mr. Tsipras appeared confident that an agreement would be reached.
Earlier Mr. Tsipras declared that the “memorandum and the troika no longer exist”, citing European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, adding that the Greek government would negotiate with its institutional partners. When asked whether he would call a referendum over the new contract with Europe, he responded “our only strength is the Greek people’s trust and we will that we have that trust at present”.
After the conclusion of the EU Summit, the president of the European Council Donald Tusk noted that an agreement for technical assistance was reached between Mr. Tsipras and Mr. Juncker, so that everything is ready for Monday. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented that she is more than happy to work with the Greek Prime Minister, while Mr. Juncker appeared pleased with the new ideas presented by the Greek government.
