Tspiras hopes ‘Club Med’ to soften EU austerity

Greece hosted on 9 September 2016 a mini-summit gathering a group of Southern European member states. The so-called 'EU-Med' summit was held with the presence of the leaders from France, Italy, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus. Spain was represented by State Secretary for the European Union Fernando Eguidazu.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras hoped it could promote a left-wing answer to the European Union's multiple crises, leading up to the informal meeting of EU leaders in Bratislava on 16 September 2016. It was also seen as an attempt to prevent other regional groups from monopolising the debate around the future of the European Union, following a major economic crisis, increasing scepticism around the European project and the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU.

ESO: Background information: High Level Progressive Summit in Paris: PES family united in reviving Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/high-level-progressive-summit-in-paris-pes-family-united-in-reviving-europe/

ESO: Background information: Brexit pushes EU towards multiple unions http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-pushes-eu-towards-multiple-unions/

EurActiv, 09.09.16: Tsipras: Euro-Med summit will unite Europe, not divide it http://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/interview/tsipras-euro-med-summit-will-unite-europe-not-divide-it/

Greek Reporter, 08.09.16: Greek PM Hosts EU Med Summit to Hammer Out Joint Positions http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/09/08/greek-pm-hosts-eu-med-summit-to-hammer-out-joint-positions/

Politico, 10.09.16: Mediterranean Europe: More spending, please http://www.politico.eu/article/mediterranean-europe-more-spending-please-summit-of-mediterranean-eu-countries/

Kathimerini, 09.09.16: Tsipras calls for dialogue for a better Europe, says initiative not divisive after EuroMed summit http://www.ekathimerini.com/211899/article/ekathimerini/news/tsipras-calls-for-dialogue-for-a-better-europe-says-initiative-not-divisive-after-euromed-summit

Kathimerini, 09.09.16: Med nations seek unity ahead of Bratislava meet http://www.ekathimerini.com/211916/article/ekathimerini/news/med-nations-seek-unity-ahead-of-bratislava-meet

The Wall Street Journal, 09.09.16: Mediterranean’s EU Members Call for Growth Initiatives http://www.wsj.com/articles/mediterraneans-eu-members-call-for-growth-initiatives-1473444607

France24, 09.09.16: Southern EU leaders call for revised migration rules http://www.france24.com/en/20160909-southern-eu-states-gear-tense-talks-migration-debt

Deutsche Welle, 09.09.16: Greece calls for pro-growth policies at 'Club Med' summit http://dw.com/p/1JzL2

Euronews, 10.09.16: Southern European leaders call for action to boost flagging EU growth http://www.euronews.com/2016/09/10/southern-european-leaders-call-for-action-to-boost-flagging-eu-growth

Naftemporiki.gr: Athens Declaration of the 1st Mediterranean EU countries’ Summit, 9 September 2016 http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1145928/athens-declaration-of-the-1st-mediterranean-eu-countries-summit

BlogActiv: The Euro Economy, 14.09.16: The 'Club Med' is held back by political incompetence http://theeuroeconomy.blogactiv.eu/2016/09/14/the-club-med-is-held-back-by-political-incompetence/

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