Tsipras to Draghi: “I must honor Greek people’s mandate”

The Greek PM reportedly said that he will continue to seek an agreement with the European partners.

Following the European Central Bank’s decision on Wednesday to restrict the eligibility of Greek bonds used as collateral, ECB chief Mario Draghi called Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to brief him on more-or-less sudden development.

According to government sources, Draghi told the Greek PM that this decision does not affect Greece’s financial system, as it renews the Greek banks’ liquidity via the ELA.

On his part, Alexis Tsipras said he is committed to honoring the Greek people’s mandate, which he received in January’s general elections. On this basis, the Greek PM reportedly said that he will continue to seek an agreement with European partners.

It should be noted that the Greek Finance Ministry has also stated that the ECB’s decision does not reflect to any negative developments in the nation’s finance sector and reassured the Greek people that it would have no adverse impact on the country’s financial sector when it comes in effect on February 11 as the sector was “fully protected” with other options still available.

Read below the Ministry of Finance’s full statement following the ECB’s announcement on the eve of Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ meeting with German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble on Thursday:

This decision does not reflect any negative developments in the country’s financial sector and comes after two days of substantial stabilization. According to the European Central Bank (ECB), the Greek banking system remains adequately capitalized and fully protected through access to the ELA.

The European Central Bank (ECB) decision puts pressure on the Euro working group to proceed rapidly to conclude a new mutually beneficial agreement between Greece and its partners.

On a daily basis the government is widening its circle of consultation with partners and institutions to which it belongs, it remains unwavering in its goal of a social salvation program approved by the vote of the Greek people, and consults with a view to drawing up a European policy that will finally end the hitherto self-sustaining social crisis of the Greek economy.