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Elitsa Tsenova, for GRReporter exclusive from Vienna
     Vienna wants Greece to remain part of the euro zone, as stated by Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann during his meeting today with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Faymann stressed that the efforts should be directed towards finding a common solution to represent the position of the new Greek government on the one hand and to take account of the compliance with the commitments that Greece had already made on the other.
     Asked whether he would undertake to be active at the EU level, in terms of finding a solution to the Greek demands, Faymann did not specify and recalled the links between the two countries since the time of Bruno Kreisky.
     The Austrian Chancellor stressed the need to strengthen the joint work in the EU in terms of fraud, corruption, law and compliance with tax rules. In turn, Tsipras said that the new plan that he offers would not additionally burden European citizens.
     The daily Die Presse states that, during the press conference, Faymann stressed twice that it is cynical to take care of saving the financial markets and not of youth unemployment, which is exceeding 50% at present. Another Austrian newspaper, Der Standard, also emphasizes that the Chancellor has shown understanding for the difficult situation of Greece and stressed that we should be more committed to rescue not banks but people. The headline of the newspaper Kurier is "Tsipras and Faymann: the new best friends."
     The two officials discussed the issue of Ukraine too. Tsipras said he hoped to see Faymann in Athens in the near future and that he himself would visit Vienna again. At any rate their next meeting will be soon, in Brussels.
     The meeting of the Austrian Chancellor with Alexis Tsipras was criticized by the People's Party, which is a coalition partner in the government. They say that the position of Chancellor Faymann is irresponsible towards Austrian taxpayers as well as to taxpayers in other countries of the European Union.

     Due to the snowstorm, the meeting of the Austrian Chancellor with the Greek Prime Minister was delayed by about 45 minutes, as the cortege from the airport was moving slowly. Hundreds of people with banners and red flags greeted Alexis Tsipras in front of the chancellery in solidarity and support with the policy of the young Greek Prime Minister.