By Hajer M'tiri
PARIS
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said the restructuring of Greece's debt is "absolutely vital" for his country, after signing a cooperation agreement with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Speaking at a joint press conference with OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria in Paris, Tsipras said Thursday the agreement aimed to make Greece's state administration more effective, strengthen the tax system by tackling tax evasion and avoidance and boost job creation.
He said: "We can no longer pretend that the country's public debt is sustainable and that its service can be provided when it is at 178 percent.
"It is absolutely vital for Greece that its public debt is restructured in order to allow it to be solvent again and to get its financing needs on the capital markets."
- 'Greece blackmailed by Troika'
Tsipras said that cooperation with OECD over the next four years would "bear fruit and will help Greece regain ground lost through 'austerity.'"
He criticized the methods used by the "troika" -- the IMF, European Central Bank and European Commission -- saying they amounted to Greece being "blackmailed."
"Greece has had enough of austerity. Enough is enough," said Tsipras.
He said the signing of the agreement meant Greece "begins a new chapter on reforms that will increase social justice with the support of OECD."
Tsipras added the reforms would not change Greece, and would keep it within the Eurozone.
"We will not let Greece turn into a country different to what it is, it will be a normal country within Europe, within the Eurozone," he said.
- Greece 'to transform'
The Greek leader also said his country would meet its financial obligations even if does not receive a further installment of its frozen international bailout from its troika lenders.
"There is no reason for concern ... even if there is no timely disbursement of a tranche, Greece will meet its obligations," he said, adding the OECD would help and support the Greek government with its reforms by providing consultation and advice, not orders.
Tsipras stressed his "government's core policies are not just to reform Greece, but to transform it."
"We don't tell Greeks what to do with Greece, we just tell them what has worked and what has not," Gurria said.
