PM Tsipras to Stern: I seek a win-win solution

He characterized Merkel as a polite and realistic woman

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reiterated in an interview for the next issue of the German “Stern” magazine, out next Thursday, that Greece doesn’t need any new bailout loans.

The interviewers, journalists Andreas Albes, Ferry Batzoglou and Andreas Petzold, characterized the 40-year-old leftist leader as “open to dialogue and optimistic.”

“I seek a solution where everyone wins, a win-win solution. I want to save Greece from a tragedy and protect Europe from being split apart,” Tsipras told the German magazine in view of Monday’s Eurogroup meeting.

The Greek Prime Minister underlined that Greece doesn’t need a second memorandum. “Instead of money we need time, to implement our plan for reforms; I promise you, Greece will be a different country in six months,” he said.

With regard to the brief meeting he had with German Chancellor Angela Merkel a few days ago in Brussels, Tsipras told the journalists: “I met a polite woman. She is not as strict as one would expect from press reports.”

Tsipras characterized Merkel as a realistic politician who does not want to put Europe’s future at stake. “Monday’s negotiation will be difficult. However, I am optimistic – the support of the Greek people gives us strength.”