Greece Optimistic After Meeting with Austria
ATHENS: Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras seemed very confident after meeting with his Austrian counterpart; he said that his country will soon be able to reach on a debt agreement with its European partners.
“I am very optimistic that we will be able to work together,” Mr. Tsipras said, speaking through a German translator. The prime minister added that he doesn’t believe that there is any reason for Greece and its European partners not to come to an agreement. A solution is important for not only Greece, but also for Europe, he added.
“I want a solution that is feasible, economic,” Mr Tsipras said.
Austria’s Chancellor Werner Faymann said the goal must be that all of the current members of the euro zone, of which Greece is a member, remain a member of the currency bloc.
The Austrian chancellor said it is also important for all of Europe to help Greece tackle problems such as tax fraud and unemployment. It can’t be that Europe is able to come together fully engaged to bail out banks, but can’t put forth the same engagement to fight tax fraud, to ensure the rule of law, to foster employment, especially for the youth, as well as to work for educational guarantees, Mr. Faymann said.
He added that “it is a matter of respect for Europe to take into consideration the Greek government’s position, keeping in mind the conditions of the bailout. It must be the goal that discussions reach a positive conclusion”, Mr. Faymann said.
