Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will hopefully serve as a “wake-up call” for the EU as it highlights the need for brave decisions and reforms. Arriving at the doorstep of the European Council in Brussels, he pointed to “difficult crossroads” while pointing to a “predictable crisis because of the democratic deficit, because of the absence of social cohesion and solidarity.”
Tsipras said that it is necessary for brave decisions to be made so that Europe can be more attractive to its people. It is necessary to take emergency initiatives in order to “replace austerity with growth, division with convergence, unemployment with decent jobs and endless negotiations behind closed doors with transparency and democracy.”
Earlier, Tsipras had met with European Parliament President Martin Schulz. Both men discussed the referendum. They agreed on the importance of strengthening the social agenda of the EU. Schulz said that the Brexit should begin as soon as possible.
Tsipras will hold a number of meetings with top EU officials and MEPs on the sidelines of the EU Council held in the aftermath of the British referendum.
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