Tsipras started by unraveling his opinion on the way Europe should change in order to secure its best possible future. At one point he mentioned that Europe should show more solidarity towards Greece.
The German Minister chose to answer to Mr.Tsipras by stating that in order to build a strong Europe, then everybody should adhere to the agreed steps. He closed his intervention by paraphrasing J.Carville's quote “it is the implication, stupid”. Mr.Schauble also clarified that he did not wish for the IMF to participate in the Greek program, or indeed in Eurozone affairs, but A.Merkel insisted on it and “she was right” as is proper that Finance Ministers are wrong and Prime Ministers are right.
Schauble noted that should he enter the German parliament and tell its' members that the IMF will not be participating in the Greek program, it would be like entering a room full of dynamite with a lit candle. Mr. Tsipras answered that he does not believe that one should do that but he believes that we should noy stay in the dark for fear of igniting the dynamite. Instead it would be better to take away the dynamite:”…regarding the IMF, it is widely known that not all of us in Europe had the same beliefs about its role since we believed that Europe can achieve thinks on its own. During the last negotiation, some countries required the participation of the Fund for Greece and we accepted it in order to reach an agreement. I wish and hope that the coexistence of three separate institutions and the disagreements that happen many times between them will not be the cause of further delays. In order to solve the problems of Europe we need more Europe. Now is not the time for more Exit, Grexit, Brexit etc.”
The Greek PM went on to say that:”Greece has made a lot of progress in the last years but this was one-sided and it burdened specific groups of citizens. Instead of growth we faced de-growth and unemployment soared. Therefore Greece is in need of reforms. Apart from a balanced national budget, we need growth and private investments. We need motives and most of all we need stability for everybody's good. In order for Europe to move further, it must have an agendum of growth and it must help lessen the inequalities between the countries of the South and North.