The Latin American bloc said Greece's fight against austerity “is a struggle for the salvation of all mankind ... and self-determination of all peoples.” The ALBA bloc, comprised of 12 Latin American and Caribbean nations, expressed its support to Greece, as the Mediterranean country continues to renegotiate its debt with eurozone lenders. In a statement Sunday, the bloc, which calls itself a “People’s Trade Treaty,” said it stands with the Greek people and the Syriza government against the "destructive consequences of neoliberal transnational capital," which regional organization said looks to subvert Greek democracy through financial measures. The declaration also encouraged Greeks in their struggle with EU lenders, saying the stance against forced austerity “is a struggle for the salvation of all mankind, for life, freedom and self-determination of all peoples.” On Sunday, representatives of the European Central Bank, European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, a trio that is commonly referred to as the Troika, reiterated that they would not accept the latest proposal from Athens. "We were asked once again to place the burden on the shoulders of pensioners and workers," said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, before the last refusal of creditors. Tsipras rejected the opinion of some European politicians who said the left-wing government’s plan for a referendum on the EU proposal is tantamount to a Greek exit from the eurozone. The Syriza leader called on European officials to respect the sovereignty of the Greek people. Read the full ALBA statement below: COMMUNIQUE FROM ALBA ON SITUATION IN GREECE The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) expresses its strong support and solidarity with the Greek people and government, which are facing the fierce siege of global financial capitalism and its European representatives, who with unscrupulous ambition aim to break the choice of this country for a decent and fair life, the center of which is the protection of true democracy and human rights, not the privileges and destructive consequences of neoliberal transnational capital. Source URL |