PM Tsipras: The EU must be very direct with Turkey over its obligation to respect int’l law
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The European Union must be very clear with Turkey in terms of respecting international laws, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said to the foreign press on Thursday, on his arrival at the EU for a two-day EU Council meeting.
“I think that we have to be very skeptical about the developments in the region. But I think that we have to be very straight to the Turkish side about their obligations, especially their obligation to respect international law, but at the same time to keep open the doors of dialogue,” Tsipras said in response to a question.
Asked about the Salisbury case, he said the EU should “express our solidarity to the UK and to the British people” but that “we have to be very responsible on that issue.”
Referring to the European Union, the prime minister said, “We are at a critical moment for Europe; at least, we have to take decisions for our common future. We need a reformed eurozone, we need a strong and binding social pillar, we need a credible banking union to protect us all. And, of course, nowadays, with the difficult geopolitical developments all around, we need the EU to be a strong international and regional player; and first of all, this means suppoting all its member-states against violations from third countires.”
The EU Council will focus on economic affairs, especially trade, and other pressing issues, including taxation and external relations. EU leaders will also discuss Brexit (in an EU 27 format) and eurozone (Euro Summit format).
Tsipras criticizes tax havens, calls for fiscal justice
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras raised the issue of tax havens during his speech at the European Council on Thursday, noting they undermine fiscal justice which is essential for the European Union and its citizens.
According to government sources, he supported the EU proposal for the adoption of a European tax on digital service providers, with the introduction of a legal framework that will prevent transfer pricing and tax evasion.
He spoke of the need for fiscal convergence of EU member-states, which will put an end to tax competition – one of the causes of social dumping. Tsipras also called for a more binding European Pillar of rights, finding support from Portugal, France and Sweden.
Source: ANA-MPA