Tsipras: 'We need a new vision for Europe'

"We find ourselves before two paths: either to continue on as if nothing has happened or make a decision to create a new, better and more democratic Europe," he said.

The British people's vote was a "historic event" that sent shockwaves throughout the world, Tsipras noted, adding that the European Union was at a crucial turning point.

"For the first time in its history, the EU is becoming smaller, the map is changing," the Greek prime minister said.

Europe's leadership must understand the reasons that led to the British vote and ask themselves whether referendums with the same question in other countries were likely to yield the same result. "We have to wonder why the EU does not inspire its peoples and create a more 'attractive' EU," he said.

Tsipras noted that Greece had highlighted these EU dysfunctions and deficits in the most painful way during the summer of 2015. This "social and democratic deficit" in the EU was now confirmed, he added, and called for a change in course. Reporting on Tuesday's European Council meeting, he said the atmosphere had been "highly charged" and that Europe would soon find itself faced with a choice between two paths.

The need for a "new deal" on Europe with a social dimension that could once again inspire its citizens was "of existential importance" Tsipras underlined.

"In addition to the fiscal deficit there is the social deficit and Greece is classic example. Before the crisis, unemployment in Greece was at 7 pct, the same as in Germany, but now it's at 26 pct and in Germany at 4 pct," he pointed out, adding that there could be no future for Europe with such large inequalities.

He ended by announcing that Greece was planning initiatives on a regional level and within member-states to "form alliances on a geographic and political level."

 Europe is in a deep political crisis, created by harsh austerity and a piecemeal approach to the migration problem, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in statements after a European Council of 27 EU member-states that was dominated by Brexit on Wednesday.
"We find ourselves before two paths: either to continue on as if nothing has happened or make a decision to create a new, better and more democratic Europe," he said.
The British people's vote was a "historic event" that sent shockwaves throughout the world, Tsipras noted, adding that the European Union was at a crucial turning point.
"For the first time in its history, the EU is becoming smaller, the map is changing," the Greek prime minister said.
Europe's leadership must understand the reasons that led to the British vote and ask themselves whether referendums with the same question in other countries were likely to yield the same result. "We have to wonder why the EU does not inspire its peoples and create a more 'attractive' EU," he said.
Tsipras noted that Greece had highlighted these EU dysfunctions and deficits in the most painful way during the summer of 2015. This "social and democratic deficit" in the EU was now confirmed, he added, and called for a change in course. Reporting on Tuesday's European Council meeting, he said the atmosphere had been "highly charged" and that Europe would soon find itself faced with a choice between two paths.
The need for a "new deal" on Europe with a social dimension that could once again inspire its citizens was "of existential importance" Tsipras underlined.
"In addition to the fiscal deficit there is the social deficit and Greece is classic example. Before the crisis, unemployment in Greece was at 7 pct, the same as in Germany, but now it's at 26 pct and in Germany at 4 pct," he pointed out, adding that there could be no future for Europe with such large inequalities.
He ended by announcing that Greece was planning initiatives on a regional level and within member-states to "form alliances on a geographic and political level."