Tsipras delivery to Parliament of Greece – The Economist

Tsipras presented before Congress dots signed between Athens and its creditors on February 20 agreement and the prospects for meeting the demands of its partners to extend four months receiving international rescue Greece.

Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece, faced a difficult debate in the Greek Parliament, around reform plan to be adopted this week for the country to get their creditors some financial oxygen.

“We seek an honest commitment to our partners. But do not expect us to sign an unconditional surrender. This is the reason why we are attacked mercilessly and is the reason why we support the society, “said Tsipras before Parliament.

Tsipras presented to Congress the points of agreement between Athens and its creditors on February 20 and prospects to meet the demands of its partners to extend four months international rescue receives Greece.

The Greek plan has been analyzed throughout the weekend by the so-called Group Brussels, composed of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), European Union (EU), the European Stability Mechanism (Mede) and Greece itself.

Tsipras said which he presented to his creditors a list of real reforms that will make Greece is a modern country and cited the fight against smuggling of cigarettes and petrol and tax fraud, but also explained the need to renegotiate the country’s debt, which reaches 177 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tsipras said that without a new covenant, the refund will be impossible.

The Greek prime minister had declared that relies on a happy negotiations on reform by the government for financial assistance end.

But the European Commission said the EU and Greece continue a “constructive negotiations” that are not yet closed.

The list of reforms proposed by Athens to receive a final tranche of 7,200 million euro loan includes an increase in the tax burden to higher salaries and measures against tax evasion and the smuggling of fuel and cigarettes, plus privatization, but maintains its public sector involvement in the companies concerned.