Greek PM rejects lenders' "irrational" proposals, optimistic debt deal closer than ever

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras requested a viable comprehensive solution to the five- year Greek debt crisis on Friday, rejecting the "irrational" proposals tabled by international creditors.

Tsipras made the request to the assembly here after a tense week of negotiations that ended with an impasse and an unprecedented delay in the repayment of loan installments to the International Monetary Fund. However, the Leftist leader appeared defiant, yet confident, that a deal for cash agreement to avert a looming Greek default and Grexit was "closer than ever."

"We are in the final stretch of negotiations and the most critical turning point," Tsipras said, assuring that his five-month government was doing its utmost to reach a "mutually beneficial agreement."

Such a deal would put an end to austerity and recession, restore social justice and effectively address the issue of the sustainability of the Greek debt load, he argued.

"We do not need just a deal but rather a solution. After five years, we need a solution for Greece and Europe that will end discussion over a Grexit," the Greek premier said, insisting that the draft deal proposal submitted by Athens this week was the "only realistic one" to achieve the goal.

Tsipras told lawmakers while briefing them on the course of negotiations that he was "unpleasantly surprised" by the draft proposal handed to him by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on Wednesday evening.

It "disregarded" the progress made during the marathon negotiations between the two sides, he said.

"Obviously, the Greek government can not consent to irrational ideas," he stressed, adding that ratifying new pension cuts and increasing electricity costs would not be possible in a country that had suffered from prolonged austerity and recession.

The Greek leader said he expected Greece's interlocutors to eventually withdraw this draft and criticized them for the liquidity asphyxiation of the past few months.

"They should prove that they are working for a solution and not to humiliate a nation. Otherwise, they should know that they will witness the opposite results," he said.

He clarified that his message should not be perceived as a threat, but was a fact, since Greek citizens asked him "to not succumb to blackmails."

"Despite the setback of Wednesday night, I am confident that the deal is closer than ever," he stressed, arguing that both sides were under pressure especially since Athens did not pay the IMF installment on Friday, asking for a delay until June 30.

"It is obvious that nobody wants a rupture. Time is running out not only for us, but for all," Tsipras stressed, before listing once again the prerequisites of an "honest compromise" according to the Greek side.

He asked for low primary budget surplus targets, debt restructuring, no more cuts to salaries and pensions, restoration of social justice through redistribution of wealth, and collective labor negotiations and an investment program.

The Greek leader wrapped up his speech with a plea for calm and national consensus to achieve the best possible result. Endit