Comments by Tsipras, Euro, IMF leaders after ‘Greek issue’ summit

Mostly positive feedback with days given for conclusion

 

Comments after the more-or-less successful conclusion of the Euro summit in Brussels by European and international leaders:

Alexis Tsipras: “Our proposal was accepted as a basis for discussion,” he said after the summit.

With higher taxes, VAT rates and pension contributions on the horizon, Tsipras told reporters this government’s criteria was “social justice with equivalent measures… We’re protecting pensions and salaries; we’re protecting the average working-class family”

Eurogroup president Jereon Dijsselbloem: “hard work ahead for coming hours on Greece negotiations”

IMF chief Christine Lagarde also said there is an “enormous” amount of work to be done on Greece.

European Council president Donald Tusk: “work will continue in coming hours to find a solution that can be presented on Thursday morning … I believe we have injected new dynamism into Greek talks today with the new Greek proposal.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that “all EU leaders strongly backed commitments to reach a deal on Greece”.

She added that “intensive work” was needed as negotiations continue but European leaders do want Greece to stay in the Euro Zone.

French President Francois Hollande said that EU leaders are “advancing towards” an agreement on a Greek bailout deal but acknowledged that work still remains to be done.

Greece’s international creditors will strike a bailout deal with the cash-strapped country this week, said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

“I’m convinced that we will come to a final agreement in the course of this week, for the simple reason that we have to find an agreement this week” he stressed.