Greece: Social Europe hanging in the balance

To :
EU Heads of States and Governments,
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council,
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, President of the Eurogroup,
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission,
Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank,
Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament,
Christine Lagarde, Director-General of the International Monetary Fund.

Open letter: Keep people at the heart of Greek negotiations

Dear Heads of State and Governments, dear Presidents, dear Director-General,

The EU is at crossroads. With the right choices you can pull Greece back from the brink of social and economic collapse and pave the way for socially-just reforms and inclusive growth, within the Eurozone.

The situation is Greece is symptomatic of the failure to put the rights and well-being of all people in Europe at the heart of the Union’s policy.

Years of austerity have corroded social standards and fundamental rights and have led to the current impasse. Since the EU institutions’ intervention, the social situation in Greece has deteriorated drastically.

The well-being of people must be central to your negotiations. There is a strong economic case for sustainable debt relief allowing for investment in social protection, social services, education and health care, while also pushing for reform.

The social emergency in Greece must not be left solely in the hands of finance ministers; others such as Employment and Social Affairs ministers should also be involved.

Civil society can play an important role in ensuring socially-just reforms. While we respond to the immediate needs of the most vulnerable, we advocate for long-term social change that harnesses the potential of all in our societies.

On Sunday you will take an important decision on the future of Europe. We urge you to set the European Union’s common values of human rights and solidarity as the foundation of your negotiations.

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