Tsipras 'firmly optimistic' on deal with EU/IMF by end of month in comments to Reuters.

  • Four points of disagreement: Labour, pension reform, VAT hikes and state asset sales
  • Tsipras 'firmly optimistic' on deal with EU/IMF by end of month
  • Working hard to reach 'honourable compromise' that respects electoral mandate and Eurozone framework
  • Has been remarkable progress in talks on issues like tax collection and fighting corruption
  • Differences are not due to weakness on technical level but political disagreement
  • Convinced Europe will not choose path of 'unethical and brutal financial blackmail' but will bridge differences instead