Tsipras: The thorny issue that had plagued the two countries is nearing its end


Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that Greece has “turned the page” after eight years of austerity and economic depression during his speech at the annual Concordia Summit in New York.

Referring to the Prespa agreement between Greece and Macedonia, he said that it would help make the Balkans “a region of peace and stability.”

Tsipras said the two countries seized the opportunity to overcome the thorny issue that had plagued them for almost thirty years.

“The dispute with FYROM is coming to an end, with due respect to our history and the Greek people,” he said.

Speaking in front of an audience of entrepreneurs, industrialists, politicians, opinion-makers and NGO leaders, Tsipras said that “the bad days are over,” although in an ever-changing world, he added, challenges remain, such as the refugee crisis.

This burden, he said, was not only up to one or two countries to share, but it was a problem for all Europe to solve, MIA’s Athens correspondent reports.

“We addressed this problem with humanism,” he claimed, adding that Europe needs a common strategy to tackle the refugee crisis.

Tsipras also emphasized the “strategic partnership” with the U.S. and called for American entrepreneurs to support the Greek economy with “new profitable investments.”

The Greek PM vowed to reverse the so-called brain drain, as well.

“A bright future lies ahead for my country,” Tsipras said.