Alexis Tsipras

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned Feb. 12 that his government would not be pressured into breaking promises made to voters in its efforts to resolve a bitter row with the EU over renegotiating the country's bailout.
      

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem agreed at the EU Council to begin a technical assessment aimed at finding common ground between Greece's current fiscal program and the Greek government's plans. This meeting would lay the groundwork for a discussion at the Eurogroup meeting scheduled for Monday, February 16.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras meetings in Brussels proved encouraging and investors took note with Greece's main stock market closing around 5.5% higher. His meeting with German Chancellor Angela Austerity appeared warm if body language is anything to judge by.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, attending his first EU summit as the head of Greece, met with Eurogroup Chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

Angela Merkel:

-Meeting with PM Tsipras was a highly amiable occasion

- Today's summit meeting hardly entailed Greek matters

- I am more than willing to collaborate with Mr. Tsipras

- Greece's bailout program is still in effect, though it should be prolonged

- I am really looking forward to hearing new suggestions

There were hopes on Thursday that Greece and the eurozone might be edging toward a deal after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, attending his first European Union summit, agreed for government officials and representatives of the country?s lenders to find common ground ahead of Monday?s Eurogroup.

Alexis Tsipras spoke to European counterparts from roughly 10 minutes at Thursday's EU summit.

According to reports, the leaders of Italy, Austria, Cyprus and Belgium favored the Greek positions.

On the other hand, according to same sources, the Spanish Prime Minister opposed the Greek government's stance.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras:

By Nikos Konstandaras

The wave of popularity that the government has been riding since its election reveals people?s need for hope. SYRIZA was elected on the promise that it would release the Greeks from the troubles of the past few years, concentrating on its opposition to the memorandum and its hostility toward the creditors? troika.

By Chryssa Liaggou

International concern is growing following the announcement of the government?s program in Parliament, with worries expressed and interest withdrawn in a number of instances concerning investment and privatization projects.

Fresh warning signs that the fragile economic recovery observed last year may have come to an early end are causing concern within the government, which is urgently trying to convince taxpayers to pay their dues.