Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday underlined that Greece has had enough with austerity, speaking in Paris after a meeting with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria at the organization’s headquarters.
Referring to the cooperation agreement signed on Thursday between the Greek government and the OECD, Tsipras said it will produce reforms that will promote social justice and economic growth, not austerity and social instability, as was the case in the past.
Asked about the disbursement of pending loan tranches, the PM said: “Right now there is a negotiation underway… On our part, we are doing whatever we can to be honest. There is no reason for concern. Even if there is no disbursement, Greece will still meet its obligations. However, if this happens, it will mean that one side is promoting the agreement while the other seeks to undermine it.”
“There is mutual suspicion between Greece and it s partners and that’s why we are here,” admitted,” Tsipras noted, adding that today’s agreement with OECD confirms the country’s determination to proceed with reforms.
Tsipras noted that the cooperation deal signed with OECD is based on a development program and that the organization has committed to provide the necessary know-how for the implementation of the agreed reforms.
Asked on whether he believes that Greece’s European partners have “put a noose around the neck” of the Greek economy, the Prime Minister said: “We are in negotiation for the implementation of the agreement signed at the last Eurogroup meeting. I believe that deliberations are on the right track for the implementation of the decision, which, if implemented in a timely manner, could help stabilize the situation in Greece. I don’t feel like I have a noose around my neck. ”
Background
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met on Thursday with OECD secretary general Angel Gurria at the organization’s headquarters in Paris.
During that meeting, according to government sources, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement aimed at helping Greece to carry out much needed reforms.
OECD will offer the Greek side its know-how with regard to the reform planning and implementation, which are the priorities for the Greek government, a Govt official said.
These reforms aim at the recovery of the economy, as well as addressing the humanitarian crisis.
During his brief address, PM Alexis Tsipras said the Government wants to “resolve the chronic problems of the political system and the economy.”
