Fiscal discipline? Rules should have exceptions, says Greek PM

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras looks on during a news conference at the annual International Trade Fair of the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, September 11, 2016. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

ATHENS (Reuters) - The European Union should refocus its attention on ways to spur economic growth in the bloc, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday, saying flexibility was needed on fiscal issues.

Tsipras, whose country has received three international bailouts in return for sweeping but deeply unpopular economic reforms, said the European Union needed to focus on social policies rather than just number crunching.