Greece’s government is optimistic that a deal with its creditors can be reached within May, government sources said on Tuesday after the end of a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
The government has taken actions that prove in practice its desire for an agreement that respects both the obligations and democracy, the sources said.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the Greek Prime Minister briefed the cabinet and carried out an assessment of the situation after Monday’s Eurogroup, citing “significant progress in negotiations, ”while, according to the government, the negotiations are now in their most crucial phase.
“The Greek side has so far fulfilled, to the fullest extent, all that was foreseen in the February 20 Eurogroup decision. It [Greek government] has taken more steps toward the European partners, demonstrating respect for procedures, laws and the Eurozone’s framework of operation. Now it is the partners’ turn to take the necessary steps to demonstrate, in practice, their respect for peoples’ democratic verdict, within a common European framework,” Tsipras said.
Moreover, Tsipras repeated his government’s so-called “red lines”, namely, no more austerity measures aimed against wage-earners and pensioners, while he reportedly cited what he called “protection for the working-class family,” which he said has been devastated by five years of fruitless Memorandum-mandated austerity.
The Greek PM told cabinet members that his government is committed to tough negotiations but always in tandem with ensuring the country’s smooth operation.
The sources said that the meeting discussed neither the possibility of a referendum nor that of snap elections.
(source: ana-mpa)
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