Yesterday – the day before eurozone finance ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Greece - Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Germany’s "Stern" magazine that Athens needed time to implement its reform programme and rid itself of past mismanagement.

The magazine followed Tsipras for two days in Greek Parliament and at his office at Maximos Mansion for a feature story ahead of today’s Eurogroup meeting, and quoted him as saying he is open to dialogue and optimistic. "I support a solution where everyone wins, a win-win solution," he is quoted as saying, "I want to save Greece from a tragedy and protect Europe from being split apart."

Tsipras said "We do not need new bailout loans." Following the cabinet meeting that ended in the early morning hours on Saturday (14.02), Tsipras said that "instead of money we need time, to implement our plan for reforms; I promise you, Greece will be a different country in six months”

See also Tsipras in Stern Interview (15.02, in German)