Obama: For eight years now we disagree with Wolfgang Schäuble on how to deal with the crisis

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met with the US President Barack Obama during the NATO summit in Warsaw. The two men discussed the course of the Greek program, the refugee issue and the Cyprus issue.

Specifically, with regard to the Greek program the two leaders discussed the need for the end of austerity in Greece to be combined with a generous debt relief.

The Greek Prime Minister referred to the positive contribution of the US to the debt relief issue and asked for the close cooperation with the Finance Minister Jack Liu to continue on this.

Tsipras talked about the reform initiatives of his government and expressed its intention to resolutely address the issue of corruption with regards to economic and political interests. In this field, Tsipras called for the support and cooperation of the US.

Regarding the refugee crisis, the discussion highlighted the role of Greece in the efficient management of the flows and the promotion of the values of humanism and solidarity, as well as the importance of NATO presence in the Aegean.

Finally, on the Cyprus issue, the Greek Prime Minister stressed the importance of a fair and sustainable solution, based on UN resolutions, that would entail the withdrawal of the occupying forces and abolition of guarantees.

Quotes from the Obama – Tsipras dialogue:

Barack Obama: They advise me too not to wear a tie, to look younger.

Alexis Tsipras: And I have said that I will not wear a tie until we get debt relief.

In the discussion about the IMF, the Greek prime minister said that “the IMF puts reform issues on the table and also asks for debt relief but there are others who ignore it.”

Alexis Tsipras: Now is the time for growth, for investments and job creation but the condition for that is debt relief.

Obama replied that he understands Mr. Tsipras, “there are difficulties with Germany in this issue” he added.

Alexis Tsipras: The IMF reform package will not be accepted by Athens, as long as the EU does not accept the IMF’s proposals for debt relief.

Barack Obama: For eight years we disagree with Schäuble on what can be the way out of the crisis. After eight years we have grown by 10% and Europe remains stagnant.

The US president said he understands the Greek position and he added that the US will contribute to the achievement of an agreement that will lead to growth.

As regards the the Cyprus issue, Obama said he continues to press the Greek Cypriot community for a solution and that the US will also push Turkey to do what they should do.

On the refugee issue Obama praised “the solidarity that the Greeks have shown” and asked to learn more about unaccompanied children as well as vulnerable groups.

Your friend Putin should help too for peace in Syria.

 

“We nee to work harder to end the war in Syria,” said the Greek Prime Minister to Obama. “Your friend Putin should help with that too” answered Obama.

About Obama’s visit to our country, the Prime Minister told the US president, “it’s a pity that you did not have the opportunity to visit Greece”. Obama replied: “I will come when I retire. I will be able to stay longer then.” 

Finally, they talked about the Greek-Russian relations and the recent trip of Alexis Tsipras in China.

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit, the Prime Minister met with Renzi, Hollande and Costa to discuss the close cooperation between southern and progressive forces in Europe against austerity. Tsipras also talked with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan about the refugee, the Cyprus and terrorism issues. Also, Mr. Tsipras had a brief conversation with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trinto.