President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias intervened in Greece's current affairs while presiding over a meeting of the political leaders.

Presided over by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, the political leaders' council wrapped up Monday noon.

The meeting, which was help upon Prime Minister George Papandreou's request, was attended by main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) head Giorgos Karatzaferis. Left leaders, Aleka Papariga of KKE and Alexis Tsipras of SYRIZA, abstained from the meeting.

Finance Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou was also invited to attend the meeting. In his staments after the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked the President of the Republic for his contribution to the meeting, further stressing, "We will fight the battle to rescue the country and we will be victorious."

Karolos Papoulias called on the three political leaders who attended the meeting to search for consensus so as to deal with a crisis beyond belief. "It is really important that the EU gave a strong respond to the speculators attacking the euro currency.

The Greek problem is the symptom of an ailing global fiscal system and the lack of political integration within the eurozone," added he.

"We Have to Win the Battle against Tax Evasion"

The President of the Republic stressed, "The crisis is not merely financial, but deeply political too because the political system collapsed. Our borrowers imposed their terms."

"Most of them don't believe we will make it. We have to prove them wrong. But in order to do so we have to shape the appropriate political conditions. One of them is to win the fight against tax evasion to restore social justice, since it is part of the economical problem," argued Papoulias.

The President then went on to note, "The political world is under criticism and we know why. The abolishment of immunity and the change in the ministers' liability law, transparency in the parties' finances and the change in the electoral law should be given priority."

Karolos Papoulias also touched on the death of three bank workers, saying "The sorrow and grief over the horrible death of three young people who fell prey to repulsive violence is insurmountable." He then added, "Demonstrations cannot be used for the commitment of such illegal actions. We have to put an end now."

After the meeting, George Papandreou said: "I requested this meeting so that we can have the chance to discuss the major changes the country needs, and I want to thank the President of the Republic for his solid presence and contribution to our discussions."

"Greece has huge potentials so that we can build a viable and fair economy. However, changes are required," said Papandreou, further underlining, "We should put an end to injustice, corruption and lack of meritocracy. We should put an end to a political system that serves special interests and not the greater good."

"But we should rescue Greece first, before being able to change it," stressed the Prime Minister. He then went on to add, "Our struggle was vindicated, because the sacrifices of the Greek people and the battle we fought in Europe and beyond helped us safeguard a support mechanism for Greece and its economy."

Exiting the Presidential Mansion, the LAOS head stressed the meeting, which was held in a cordial climate, touched on financial matters, as well as on a string of affairs, which, if they come into being, the current crisis will be turned into an opportunity for Greece."

Prior to the council, the Prime Minister stressed, "The markets are our [Greece's] foe."

The Prime Minister underlined the need for structural and political changes, placing emphasis on a change in the electoral law and the law on ministers' liability.