Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ meeting with his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi in Rome was concluded in a positive climate a few minutes ago and the two Premiers proceeded with a joint press conference, underlining Greece ‘s need of reforms. Tsipras, currently on a tour to European capitals that started yesterday from Nicosia, is seeking the support of fellow European leaders toward a new agreement on the Greek 240-billion-euro bailout program to be reached between Athens and its partners. “Our people have suffered in recent years. The time has come for a much-needed shift in Europe,” Tsipras said during the joint press conference, adding that there are currently several divisions in Europe between the North and the South. “We want to create an alliance of reason. Europe is at critical crossroads and Greece will work to contribute to the necessary political change,” he highlighted. Referring to the situation in Greece, Tsipras stressed that due to state corruption and entanglement, the middle class and the poor are the ones mostly damaged, assuring that his newly elected government will change that. In relation to the Troika representing the country’s creditors and their role so far, the Greek Premier estimated that it did everything wrong, noting that it increased the national debt from 120% of GDP to 180%, while catapulting unemployment and poverty. “Creditors have nothing to fear from the policy change,” he concluded. On his behalf, the Italian Prime Minister declared himself a “firm fan of the Greek effort to properly address the situation that has been created,” expressing the belief that conditions to find a consultation with the Greek authorities are already in place. “This is a message to the direction of reforms,” he further said. In addition, Renzi estimated that it will be important for Greece to have a strong link with European institutions. “I trust that the debate between Greece and Europe will solve the immediate problems,” he said, adding that “we need to talk about development, not only about austerity. People called for Europe to look for growth.” Prior to the two Premiers’ meeting, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis was accepted by his Italian counterpart Pier Carlo Padoan. “What is needed is a bridge agreement that gives us some time – for example a month or six weeks starting from late February – to find an agreement that we would then put in place starting from June 1,” Varoufakis highlighted regarding the possibility of a new agreement, declining to provide any further details of Greece’s proposal for its debt beyond saying that Greece is working on a “road plan” for a solution. “We could envision an end to the Greek crisis starting from June. If there is an agreement, capital will start flowing very quickly,” Varoufakis concluded. Tsipras is expected to arrive in Brussels tomorrow, where he will hold a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
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