The Prime Minister’s visit to Berlin and his meeting with Mrs. Merkel seems to have helped break the ice between the two countries. The strategy of tension which dominated in the previous weeks gave way to a policy of understanding and peaceful coexistence, within the framework of the Eurozone rules. The question that remains is whether this understanding will result in certain Eurogroup decision that will give the public funds and economy some breathing space.
The return to reality, Mr. Tsipras accepting the contribution of the previous program in the country’s fiscal consolidation and the need to continue the reforms, with greater intensity, while changing their mix, seems to facilitate the ongoing negotiations. However, the list of specific reforms that the Greek government will propose will be decisive, since the German Chancellor, at least in her public statements, insisted on referring to the institutions for any final decisions.
The next days will be decisive as to whether the gap that exists between both sides will be quickly bridged. Time is tight, as the Prime Minister admits in the letter he sent to Mrs. Merkel prior to meeting in Brussels, while the solvency problems in the economy are pressing.
The initiatives that Mr. Tsipras announced in Berlin must be implemented as soon as possible, in order to sooth the reactions of all those who believe that the government does not have the will to carry out what it has agreed to. Time is running out and the Prime Minister, after his trip to Berlin, now has a clear picture of the goals of our partners, as well as the limitations of the economy.
TO VIMA
