Ahead of critical bailout talks on Thursday, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann has shown solidarity with Greece.
Sources close to the talks said to iefeimerida.gr on condition of anonymity that Faymann acts as mediator between Greece and its creditors bringing a message from the German Chancellor and the chief of the European Commission to the Greek Prime Minister. “This message will defy the developments that will take place in the immediate future” the same sources said.
“Solidarity is the lesson to be learned from European history. The crisis was not provoked by workers and pensioners and we wont end the crisis as long as unemployment rates remain hight. And welfare state across Europe is about to collapse. Low-income pensions should not be trimmed further. But a clear proposal must be submitted in order to prove that the government can raise revenue. I was informed that the Greek government is preparing such proposals. Young people should know that for humanitarian reasons we should not exclude the possibility of reaching an agreement. Reaching a deal appears to be not so evident but if we want to find a solution that we have the possibility to do so. I hope that an agreement can be reached by the end of June” Faymann said at a press conference after having a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens.
“The Greek government has taken a specific mandate to negotiate in order to bring a sustainable economic agreement - the government will shape the direction of how the negotiations will move on a basis of the proposed solution's economic viability and the social acceptance of this proposal” said the Greek Prime Minister. He further added that he’s not planning to ask voters for a fresh mandate - implying no early elections or a referendum while he excluded any further cuts to pensions.
Hours before meeting Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens the Austrian Chancellor has responded to comments made by EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday which accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of 'misleading' his voters over dept.
"The debate in Greece and outside Greece would be easier if the Greek government would tell exactly what the commission is really proposing," Juncker said in Brussels on Tuesday. Faymann denounced Juncker's comments, however, saying it was never helpful when insults fly.
“I know there were a number of proposals, also from the institutions, that I also don’t find in order.”
“High joblessness, 30-40 percent (with) no health insurance and then raising VAT on medicines. People in this difficult situation cannot understand that.”
"I stand on the side of the Greek people who in this difficult position are being proposed more things detrimental to society," Faymann said.
Faymann did also emphasize that Greece must meet its commitments under its current bailout plan, citing the need to fight fraud and a fair taxation system where everyone pays their fair share. The Austrian Chancellor, added, that he was confident he could support Juncker's efforts to forge an agreement between Greece and Brussels by using Austria as an example of a country where workers and pensioners get affordable health care.
Before arriving at the Greek PM’s residence, Maximos Mansion, for talks with Alexis Tsipras the Austrian Cancellor had a meeting with the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos. "For Europe to be stronger, it must show solidarity and support to any country which needs it," Faymann said during the meeting with Pavlopoulos.