Embattled Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared himself as "extremely optimistic" on Friday over the prospect of a comprehensive agreement, as he put it, to end Greece and even Europe's economic crises.
Embattled Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared himself as "extremely optimistic" on Friday over the prospect of a comprehensive agreement, as he put it, to end Greece and even Europe's economic crises.
He made the statement with visiting French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve by his side during a press conference, and with renewed negotiations in Athens underway between the Greek side and its institutional creditors.
Tsipras said his leftist-rightist government coalition is "not only close to the conclusion of the (second) review, but very close to a holistic agreement; a solution, that not only includes the conclusion of the review, in other words, the Greek side's obligations, but deals with a program of progress; the medium-term program, something that means a necessary reduction in debt so it becomes sustainable."
He also said this includes Greece's re-inclusion, after it was excluded, in the spring of 2015.
The Greek premier said he's confident a staff-level agreement can be achieved by a March 20 Eurogroup meeting.
At present, the second review of the third bailout has exceeded repeated deadlines, with the original target having been set for a year ago.