Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke of a definitive political solution to the Greek matter within the week, however, this is still not apparent in the near future.

Speaking to “Ethnos” newspaper, the Prime Minister, when asked if there is an alternative plan if partners do not relax their fiscal measures, he responded that “obviously there is an alternative Plan. However, I do not think that we will need to implement any, since the Greek matter will be solved on a political level before week’s end, prior to the Summit, or during the Summit meeting”.

He also added that “if the undermining of the 20th February agreement continues, it is obvious that there needs to be a political solution at the highest level”.

Contrary to Mr. Tsipras’ statements, however, in statements made from Brussels, European Commission representative Margaritis Schoinas characterized the negotiations between Greek authorities and the partners’ technical teams as crucial, underlining that the situation has reached a critical point.

Mr. Schoinas stated that the technical deliberations must end positively, clarifying that said deliberations are ongoing, including the program of the talks in Athens.

He also mentioned that the Commission’s estimate is that now is the time to work, rather than make pompous announcements, and reminded listeners of Jean Claude Juncker’s statement that “now is the time to be unified, and not divided”.

On its part, Berlin insists that the German government’s political goal is that Greece should remain in the Eurozone and that the current main issue is the second aid package which has been extended many a time and the completion of which is a prerequisite for further funds disbursement.

German Government Representative Steffen Seibert added that “Greece has made a binding agreement to take certain steps and is in talks with specialists from the Troika. This is what we focus on, and this is what the Greek government should also focus on”.

On the part of the German FinMin, representative Martin Jaeger clarified thatthe German government takes Greek FinMin Yanis Varoufakis’ statements into account, on the country’s situation, but added that Berlin cannot comment on such things. He also reiterated that there is mutual respect between the Finance Ministers of the two countries.