15 February 2017•Update: 15 February 2017
By Idyli Tsakiri
ATHENS
Greece’s economic performance in meeting creditors’ demands is due to the “sacrifices of the Greek people,” the country’s premier said on Wednesday.
Alexis Tsipras was speaking in Athens during a visit by European Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici.
Moscovici’s visit comes just days before a Feb. 20 Eurogroup meeting to discuss Greece’s economic bailout program.
That meeting “could set the parameters of an agreement to conclude the review," Moscovici told Tsipras during a meeting at the premier’s office.
"I believe that some effort is required from all sides; with a little more effort we can achieve it, we must achieve it," Moscovici added.
Tsipras responded that “we can talk about reforms, but with zero impact.”
“The results [of Greece’s performance] are due to the sacrifices of the Greek people. Everyone must recognize the numbers and honor the sacrifices of the Greek people. Our message is ‘enough is enough with austerity’," he added.
Earlier, while walking into a meeting with Greek Financial Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, Moscovici said the upcoming Eurogroup could be “a good time for Greece”.
