ATHENS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday called for cooperation among the progressive forces in the European Union ahead of May's election of the European Parliament (EP) to address the challenge of the far-right.
"The rise of the far-right creates difficulties for our common future. Progressive forces in Europe must work together to create a front against it", Tsipras said according to an e-mailed press release from his office, welcoming to Athens Frans Timmermans, the European Socialists' lead candidate for the presidency of the European Commission.
Timmermans, currently First Vice-President of the European Commission, who visited the Greek capital to attend a Greek socialists meeting, said that Europe is ready to leave behind austerity policies and invest on social justice.
The Greek leader noted that harsh austerity fueled the ultra-right and a new policy mix is the response.
In this framework, he warmly welcomed the European Socialists' efforts to cooperate with the Left forces and the Greens rather than the conservatives.
The upcoming European elections may be the most crucial so far for the future of Europe, Tsipras stressed.
