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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-06-04
CONTENTS
[01] PM Tsipras: The Greek proposal is the only realistic proposal on
the table
[01] PM Tsipras: The Greek proposal is the only realistic proposal on
the table
"The proposal submitted by the Greek side remains the only realistic and
constructive proposal on the table," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said
after the meeting with the European Commission president Jean-Claude
Juncker late on Wednesday.
Tsipras said the discussion with Juncker was "constructive and friendly"
and added:
"From the proposals we have heard from the three institutions, I would
like to keep the lower surplus as a basis for discussion. Certainly
there are many more issues we agree on. But there are issues that no one
could approach because everyone should know that we are talking about a
country that has undergone a major economic disaster over the past five
years. It has lost 25 percent of GDP in five years of austerity. Proposals
such as abolishing the supplementary pensions of low-pension retirees,
known as EKAS, or increasing VAT on electricity by 10 percentage points
are proposals that cannot constitute a basis for discussion...The Greek
proposals remain the realistic basis for discussion. Discussions will
continue in the coming period, in the coming days and I can say that
as long as someone discusses honestly, it is easier to reach a mutually
acceptable solution."
The Prime Minister clarified that there is no a 'take it or leave it'
proposal, but only dialogue for a mutually beneficial solution.
On his part, the European Commission president said: "It was a good,
constructive meeting. Progress was made in understanding the positions
of each side, based on different proposals."
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