The experiment of austerity failed, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stated.
Speaking before the European Parliament for the first time about the situation in Greece, Tsipras said that austerity measures were implemented in other EU member states as well but there were not so hard and so long. “The experiment of austerity did not succeed”, he said indicating what led to increased unemployment and expansion of public debt.
“I am honored to address the elected representatives of Europe”, he noted “after the strong verdict of the people, who instructed us to strengthen our efforts for a sustainable solution to the Greek problem without the mistakes of the past, without the austerity that led society to a vicious circle”.
The Greek “no”, he said, was given amid difficult circumstances with the media terrorizing the Greek people that a “no” vote means leaving the eurozone.
“The verdict of the people is not a choice of rift with Europe, but a choice to return to the founding principles of Europe. It is a clear message that Europe, our common establishment, either will be democratic or will have enormous difficulties to survive”, he said.
He noted that negotiations with the partners seek to confirm the dual objective of respecting the democratic choice and the European rules.
“We took over five months ago but programs run for five years now. I take full responsibility for what happened in the last five months but the problems do not concern this period but the last five years”, the Prime Minister noted.
The objective is not to burden EU taxpayers. “Let's be honest, the money given to Greece never reached the Greek people, but the banks”.
He said no one denies the necessary reforms, adding that “we commit to make our proposals absolutely specific”.
Client state
Alexis Tsipras admitted that Greece reached the verge of bankruptcy because governments created a client state, enhancing corruption and tax evasion.
In his speech, Mr. Tsipras noted that according to a report by Credit Suisse, 10% of Greeks control 56% of the national wealth.
"We do not come to collide with Europe but with the status quo within the country", he said stressing that no reform has improved the functioning of the state.
"European history is a history of unity and not division and I'm sure that all of us will assume our historic responsibility," he said.
Speaking before the European Parliament for the first time about the situation in Greece, Tsipras said that austerity measures were implemented in other EU member states as well but there were not so hard and so long. “The experiment of austerity did not succeed”, he said indicating what led to increased unemployment and expansion of public debt.
“I am honored to address the elected representatives of Europe”, he noted “after the strong verdict of the people, who instructed us to strengthen our efforts for a sustainable solution to the Greek problem without the mistakes of the past, without the austerity that led society to a vicious circle”.
The Greek “no”, he said, was given amid difficult circumstances with the media terrorizing the Greek people that a “no” vote means leaving the eurozone.
“The verdict of the people is not a choice of rift with Europe, but a choice to return to the founding principles of Europe. It is a clear message that Europe, our common establishment, either will be democratic or will have enormous difficulties to survive”, he said.
He noted that negotiations with the partners seek to confirm the dual objective of respecting the democratic choice and the European rules.
“We took over five months ago but programs run for five years now. I take full responsibility for what happened in the last five months but the problems do not concern this period but the last five years”, the Prime Minister noted.
The objective is not to burden EU taxpayers. “Let's be honest, the money given to Greece never reached the Greek people, but the banks”.
He said no one denies the necessary reforms, adding that “we commit to make our proposals absolutely specific”.
Client state
Alexis Tsipras admitted that Greece reached the verge of bankruptcy because governments created a client state, enhancing corruption and tax evasion.
In his speech, Mr. Tsipras noted that according to a report by Credit Suisse, 10% of Greeks control 56% of the national wealth.
"We do not come to collide with Europe but with the status quo within the country", he said stressing that no reform has improved the functioning of the state.
"European history is a history of unity and not division and I'm sure that all of us will assume our historic responsibility," he said.
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