A. TSIPRAS: Did you have the opportunity to explain to the political parties that there is no longer a memorandum in Greece?
P. MOSCOVICI: I would like to apologize for being late; I was in a very lively debate in the Parliament. With one word, let’s make this clear that there is no fourth program for Greece. There cannot be and there will not be. What will exist will be something completely different. With Euclid we discussed very specifically what surveillance could mean. Now Greece is a normal country in the Eurozone, with the European semester, you will have normal procedures. You know when a country is under the surveillance of the Eurogroup it only takes 5 minutes, without talks, just to see that the commitments are being met.
A. TSIPRAS: In any case, it is difficult for citizens to understand and feel the change after eight years of difficult sacrifices. But it is true that Greece managed to successfully complete the last program. This is a historic change. I believe that people will start to feel change day by day. However, the most significant fact for Greece is that from now on, the elected governments will have the right to choose the means to reach their goals in the framework of our joint European decisions. It is a very significant change. And on the occasion of your visit here, not only as a Commissioner, at the same time I speak to you as a friend of Greece but also of my own and thank you for your efforts and your contribution and, of course, for the contribution of the Commission that was crucial so that we have this successful conclusion of the third bailout program.
P. MOSCOVICI: Thank you very much. I think we are turning a page. The Greeks will see that it is not the same thing. It’s not something varied, it’s really something new. You now have the support of your partners for losing weight (debt) and returning to markets with successful conclusions. And I hope, I’m also expecting on August 20th for real exit and real success. You thanked me, I would also like to thank you and your government for knowing that it was difficult. It took courage and vision, and you showed them. I would like to make a special reference to Euclid who gained the respect of his colleagues at the Eurogroup, which was not a given thing. We should also say that it was a success for you, for this country and for this people. It is now our turn to show them that there is a future and that we must think of those still suffering from the crisis, and we need to find together social solutions.
A. Tsipras: August 20th will be a day of celebration but the next day, we will continue to work and fight.
