After difficult negotiations between the Greek government and the members of the euro area, the European Parliament President Martin Schulz answers our questions.
Efi Koustokosta euronews:
An agreement was found, but different approaches are observed on the text. The Greek government says it has won the first battle, but the Germans and some key partners, it is an old case in new clothes. What about you?
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament:
Let's be realistic. The government has made concessions, and it is not easy now for them to convince their citizens to be a little patient to review their expectations downward ... So there different interpretation, this is normal . What we have agreed, on one hand, is that the Greek government must fulfill the promises of its program, and secondly, that the European partners must now pay 7.5 billion. That way, we save time for those four months.
Efi Koustokosta euronews:
Let's go back to the negotiations. There were 19 ministers of the euro zone to decide on this agreement. But in the end, we had the impression that it was a personal discussion between Germans and Greeks, among M.Varoufakis and Mr. Schäuble. What is your opinion?
Martin Schulz:
This is not a debate between Wolfgang Schäuble and Mr Varoufakis. This is a debate between the 18 finance ministers and Mr. Varoufakis. Other ministers of the least known that Finance Minister Schäuble had even more radical positions Schäuble. If the Germans have a strong influence, it is because they represent the 27% in the euro area. But France 20%, Italy 18%. These two countries together account for 38% of the funds given to Greece. They have a say too. This is not a fight against each other. We must fight for the Greek people.
Efi Koustokosta:
Mr Schulz, you know behind the scenes negotiations. Have we been nearly a Grexit?
Martin Schulz:
Everything depends on the government of Athens, everything depends on the partners, if they are willing to find a constructive compromise ... Excuse me, I understand your question, but I prefer not to discuss the theoretical options, I prefer to talk about the practical needs of citizens. I do not think the Grexit.
Efi Koustokosta:
You were the first of the EU representatives to visit M.Tsipras when he was elected. What is your analysis? A he a political plan for the future?
Martin Schulz:
I always prefer to talk with people about people. That's why I went there. I knew him when he was opposition leader. To be honest, this is a new government with little experience in business, and little experience in international relations. Therefore, improvements are possible.
Efi Koustokosta:
What do you expect from them in the coming months, the four-month extension?
Martin Schulz:
We can count on what they say. One of the most important elements to gain confidence is to be able to take agreements and commitments. And I found against-productive to have reached an agreement, and the next day, the finance minister says "ok, but we still need to discuss matters." I Do Not. We now need to agree on concrete measures are indicated, and applied. This is the best way to gain confidence. What I expect is that we say what we want to do and we do what we said.
Efi Koustokosta:
Would you say that austerity and memoranda, it's over for Greece?
Martin Schulz:
No ... Greece must reduce its sovereign debt and must pay the debt. And, incidentally, the Greek debt has not been decided in Berlin or Brussels. It was decided in Athens. Therefore, this country has some responsiblity. But we know that no State, neither Greece nor any other, can clean up its public finances without additional revenue, if there is no more money for the country. But what does "more money for the country"? We need growth and jobs. What we have seen in recent years, particularly with the philosophy of the International Monetary Fund, it was cuts. But the cuts, it is not enough.
Efi Koustokosta euronews:
One point on which you agree, Greek government and creditors is that Greece needs reforms, or structural reforms take time to achieve results. And in the meantime, the country needs money ...
Martin Schulz:
I think everyone is ready to give Greece more time if structural reforms are really credible and reliable, and structural reforms must tender first, and that is progress on the part of government to fight against tax evasion, tax fraud, and watching a revenue side of the budget, not just on the expenditure side. Thus, for example, to stop privatization in general, this is not good. I understand those who say we want to sell off our public assets. OK. But when there are investors like the Chinese who wanted to invest in the port of Piraeus or owner of Frapport in Frankfurt, a company I know very well, who wants to invest in Athens airport are reliable investors . These are not bloodthirsty capitalists who want to bring slavery in Greece.
Efi Koustokosta euronews:
What is the biggest challenge for the government? We see disagreements right now in the government on the next steps.
Martin Schulz:
If they want to attract investors in the country, it is of course necessary that they specify their line of government. But it's not for me to pass judgment on it. The Prime Minister and his coalition must work together. A party of the left as Syriza has formed a government with Mr Kammenos Surprisingly, we must be careful. To put it differently, Mr. Kammenos is perhaps not the logical partner of a leftist party like Syriza. But ... .We need to do with the government.
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