Every leader wants to put his or her imprint on the work that they do, and grow up in specific eras.

You can theorise about the options you have but in reality they are very specific.

I will always be upfront with the Greek people, so we can solve the country's problems together.

Greece has given Europe the opportunity to fix a defect in the euro zone, that is the fact that we did not have a fiscal union. Now steps have been taken to begin that process. And there is more solidarity from nation to nation, and that is a good thing. That has been Greece's gift to Europe.

I would like to see Greece as a case study, an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its coordination of fiscal policy.

At times of distress, we all like to recall the advice of fathers and mothers. The best advice my father gave me was to keep faith and deep confidence in the potential of the Greek people; nurture the belief that they can do things.

Politics also means educating people. It's important to speak openly with our fellow Greeks, to tell them what our problems are and that we have to change something.