Michel meets with new Greek prime minister

Belgian prime minister Charles Michel met the newly elected Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, yesterday on the sidelines of the European Union summit. Michel was one of three EU leaders who held informal talks with Tsipras, who is seeking a reduction of Greece’s massive debt burden.

After the meeting at the prime minister’s official residence, Michel told reporters that he was optimistic that the eurozone’s 19 members could find a solution to the Greek crisis, even if it required a special effort.

“The solution is delicate and difficult. We need determination and will,” Michel said. “The magic of Europe has always been to find solutions, even when it seemed impossible. I am convinced that this magic will end up working.”

Speaking after the meeting at Wetstraat 16, Tsipras said: “We have to prove that Europe can find a solution, respect the positions that the parties take and combine respect for democracy with European rules.”

Belgian finance minister Johan Van Overtveldt also met his Greek counterpart, Yanis Varoufakis, to talk about the Greek debt crisis. He told the press that the eurozone members had not yet reached any agreement.

The finance ministers will meet again on Monday in an attempt to solve the problem, which threatens the stability of the European Union.

photo: Federal finance minister Johan Van Overtveldt (left) meets with Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis on Tuesday in Brussels
©Francois Lenoir/REUTERS