PM briefs Greek President [Update]
Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed hope that a European Union summit meeting scheduled for Wednesday would lead Greece ?to turn the page? and ?move forward.?
Briefing President Karolos Papoulias on Tuesday morning, the Greek Premier noted that the huge burden of the debt which his government inherited should be lifted from Greek people and be divided in order for the country to undergo a rebirth that would lead to development.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Papandreou said that the ongoing negotiations regarded the whole of Europe and not just Greece.
?We have proved that we are able to undertake our responsibilities and that we, ourselves, wish to change our country,? said the Greek Premier, who added that the time has come for Europe to take the kind of decisions that will put an end to a crisis which has spread feelings of instability across European nations.
Papandreou noted that the government?s target during the current negotiations is two-fold: to reach a safe solution, on the one hand, and to take an important part of the weight off Greek shoulders, on the other. Papandreou stressed that everyone involved needs to contribute to this end, including banks which will have to invest in the real economy.
Following his statement the Greek PM said he was off to Brussels where tough negotiations continue ahead of Wednesday?s decisive summit meeting.
