Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Greece: meeting Athens with Alexis TSIPRAS, Greek Prime Minister, and extracts from the press point

EU - Greece (T)

press conference

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Athens

TSÍPRAS, Aléxis (EL)

Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, to Greece: meeting in Athens with Alexis TSIPRAS, Greek Prime Minister, and extracts from the press point

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Al&#233;xis TS&#205;PRAS, Greek Prime Minister , In reality they paid for the others peoples responsibilities. They paid mainly the inapropriate relationship between the financial oligarchy, which refused to pay the taxes that deserved. The old political regime that protected them. I assured the EP President that the new Hellenic government is determined to put an end at this controversial relationship. I also assured him that we have a plan of radical changes at the state and public administration reforms; that we deal with internal economic reasons, with 'give and take' connections, the corruption, the tax evasion.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Al&#233;xis TS&#205;PRAS, Greek Prime Minister, In the same time, we have a plan for the necessary productive reconstruction and the return on growth; without the persistence on the error and the failed formula of austerity. But also without the imprudent of the creation new deficit. We negociate with the European partners in order to find a total European and mutual profitable solution on themes of mutual interest.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "We agreed with eachother on many points, but there were also points were we will need to discuss some more. But I want to ascertain the following; I have come here - we decided last Sunday that we were to meet - as I am of the view that in national politics as in European politics, in European politics especially, it is better to talk with eachother than about eachother, and today I feel that that view has been affirmed."

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, "Through our talks I have learned, and that I believe is very important, that the questions related to the financing of the public debt of Greece, the questions that are linked to the programme, that couldn't be scheduled before, that the Tsipras governement is not saying this is the way it is and that is how it will remain, but rather that they are ready to constructively discuss their proposals with their partners, and negotiate."

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, Ep President, "I find it to be a very good message. I am sure the debate will be very controversial, that was already detecable in our talks, but that that they are ready as a government to say that Greece is looking for solutions together with their partners. I find it to be good step forward and I hope that tomorrow during the visit of Jeroen DIJSSELBLOEM, the President of the Eurogroup, a first step in this direction can already achieved."