Tsipras: Greece wants to conclude EU/IMF review but cannot accept ‘irrational’ demands

Greece wants to conclude a crucial EU/IMF review of its bailout progress but cannot accept irrational demands on labor reforms or any extra austerity measures, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday.

"The Greek government is fully consistent with what has been agreed and has proven that it has the political will to conclude the second bailout review, without meaningless delays," Tsipras told his SYRIZA party lawmakers. "But this does not mean that we could even enter discussions on irrational demands."

Differences on fiscal targets, energy and labor reforms could be bridged if there is political will on all sides, Tsipras said, adding that an agreement could be reached by Dec. 5, when eurozone finance ministers meet in Brussels.

Tsipras said that there was "political momentum, a window of opportunity" in the European Union to help Greece exit the debt crisis. [Reuters]