Tsakalotos; There was no rift in Brussels; other side was not authorised to negotiate

He also denied that there was a rift during the weekend negotiations in Brussels, if only because, as he said, "we weren't faced with a team that had the authorisation to negotiate and discuss seriously."

Outlining the key differences between the Greek side and the creditors that blocked an agreement, he suggested that the main sticking point were a divergence in their estimates of the fiscal gap in 2016 amounting to 0.5 pct of GDP and the type of measures needed to cover this. In essence, he said, the difference amounted to 800 million euros, out of a total of 2.5 billion euros in measures proposed by Greece, and this indicated an unwillingness on the side of the creditors to negotiate on Greece's proposals.

"We claim...[that the gap] is estimated to 2 pct of GDP. They estimate it at 2.6 pct of GDP. To cover the 2 pct we could take certain additional parametric measures (in other words measures with a certain yield). But the other side must also accept that the additional 0.5 pct of GDP must be covered by some non-parametric measures, such as measures against corruption, tax evasion and others. Let us not forget that our government was elected on a promise to fight tax evasion," Tsakalotos said.
"We explained to them that we have people that are authorised to negotiate and that we are ready for serious discussion. Obviously, we must find some other composition, some other forum for this discussion to take place," he said.
Asked whether Greece will be able to pay the 1.7 billion euros to the IMF that becomes due on June 30, as well as pensions and salaries, Tsakalotos underlined that pensions and salaries will be paid.

"We always guarantee salaries and pensions," he said, while calling on the Greek people to stand at the Greek government's side during this difficult battle for Greece. He stressed that the government was not fighting this battle for reasons of symbolism but of substance, for the realities that will dawn on the "day after" June 30.

"We have a plan on how Greece can make the transition from memorandums to a new era. On how the climate must change, so we have a solution for both the debt and for financing and for the major reforms that are needed and which we see as a big package. It is time for the other side to understand these things, that this is the package that the Greek people need and that the Greek people support this package," he said.

Asked to comment on the intrasigency shown by some of Greece's partners, Tsakalotos noted:

"Europe has to resolve, not only political, not only economic, but also issues of democracy. Can this Europe cope with pluralism? Can it deal with the fact that not all countries must have precisely the same policies in the same direction? This is a very great moment for Europe, this moment that we are speaking."

The full audio interview with the minister is available on the ANA-MPA website.