Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras intervened at the government council’s marathon meeting from noon to 7.30 p.m. on Sunday to tell ministers what he wants for the Greek side to achieve. He called for an agreement to be reached within the framework of the people’s mandate. Government sources noted that Greece has made recorded efforts and is consistent regarding the fulfillment of its obligations, something that should be recognized by Greece’s partners.

Government circles believe that positive developments at Monday’s Eurogroup meeting would send a positive message and increase hopes for an agreement. Furthermore, fruitful talks at a Eurogroup level would also send a message to the European Central Bank to relax its tight fiscal policy that is suffocating Greece.

Following Tsipras’ opening speech the government council was briefed by the Deputy Prime Minister Giannis Dragasakis, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis and Alternate Foreign Minister for Economic International Relations Euclid Tsakalotos. At Monday’s Eurogroup, Greece will be represented by Varoufakis and lead Brussels negotiator for Greece, George Chouliarakis.

On his part, Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos – head of SYRIZA’s junior coalition partner –  said that he was optimistic that all would go well, noting that the government would continue its work in unity.