Athens backs EU's Rome Declaration but raises concerns

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS

A letter sent by Greek premier Alexis Tsipras to European leaders has cast a shadow over Athens's apparent willingness to back Saturday’s Rome Declaration, marking the EU’s 60th anniversary.

Greece raised objections with its bailout creditors and demanded guarantees on worker and labor rights.

The letter, sent earlier this week, was addressed to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, the current chair of the rotating EU Council presidency -- Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat -- as well as the rest of the 27 EU member-states.

Tsipras asked them to clarify whether the “European acquis applies to all countries without exception or whether it applies to everyone except Greece".

“We intend to support the Rome Declaration, a document which moves in a positive direction," Tsipras wrote.

"Nevertheless, in order to be able to celebrate these achievements, it has to be made clear, on an official level, whether they apply also to Greece.

“Whether, in other words, the European agreement is valid for all member states without exception, or for all except Greece."

Greek government ministers have been negotiating with European officials since the beginning of the week on issues such as pension cuts plus energy and labor reforms, but still face major disagreements resulting to a delayed bailout review.