Δημοκρατικό δικαίωμα των Ελλήνων χαρακτηρίζει ο πρωθυπουργός στην επιστολή που έστειλε στους ηγέτες την διεξαγωγή του δημοψηφίσματος. Σημειώνει ότι το ερώτημα αφορά αποκλειστικά το θέμα της έγκρισης ή απόρριψης της πρότασης των θεσμών και δεν δημιουργεί άμεσα ή έμμεσα θέμα συμμετοχής της χώρας στην ευρωζώνη.

Dear Prime Minister,

As you are aware, over the past five months intensive negotiations have been held between the Greek Government and the institutions – within the framework of the 20th February 2015 Eurogroup Statement – on the financial assistance program of Greece.

On the 27th of June 2015, a Cabinet proposal was approved by the Hellenic Parliament, by

enhanced majority, to hold a referendum, on Sunday July 5, 2015, that allows the Greek people to decide whether or not to accept the proposals submitted to our Government by the institutions in the framework of the aforementioned negotiations.

In order to carry out the referendum in a calm and positive climate that allows the Greek people

to make this crucial decision without external pressure, the Hellenic Republic submitted – on the 27 th June, during the Eurogroup session – a request for an extension of the Master Financial Assistance Facility (MAFA) for a period of one month from the date of its termination. Negotiations will recommence on Monday July 6 2015, with a view to reac hing an agreement immediately afterwards in line with the decision of the Greek people.

Regrettably, and on unclear grounds, this request was not accepted. This decision – in combination with the related ECB decision that followed – led to serious reper cussions on the financing of the Greek banking system and the liquidity of the Greek economy.

I would like to underline that holding a referendum on these proposals is a sovereign democratic right of the Greek people, necessary to ensure ownership over the financial assistance program that will be eventually agreed with the institutions. Furthermore, the referendum focuses solely on the institutions’ proposals and does not raise directly or indirectly any issue regarding Greece’s EMU membership, to which the Greek government is fully committed.

In this context, I would like to request that your Government reexamine its position on the issue

and support the reconsideration of the request of the Hellenic Republic by the Finance Ministers of the

Eurozone with a view to granting it. This decision will contribute to our common goal of reaching a

mutually beneficial agreement, to secure fiscal, financial debt sustainability, that will return Greece to

growth within the Eurozone.