Former Chancellor of Germany is in Athens on the occasion of the presentation of her new book, entitled “Freedom”
The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed for breakfast the former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. Mr Mitsotakis and Mrs Merkel exchanged views on European and international developments.
It is worth noting that Merkel was again in Athens, no longer as an active political person, but on the occasion of the presentation of her new book, entitled “Freedom”. In an open discussion with Alexis Papachelareferred to the Greek economic crisis, the possibility of Greece’s exit from the euro (Grexit) and the critical period that affected Europe and especially Greece in 2015.
“I thought very much Schoeble’s words, but I already decided in 2011 that it had to be done what was going through my hands to stay in the Eurozone Greeceeven if I put very tough conditions because it was my beginning.
And Zigmar Gabriel was in a short time in favor of this Grexit. However, the negotiations were difficult shortly after Alexis Tsipras’ referendum on the Memorandum. And knowing that Schoeble wanted Greece outside the Eurogroup. I said, “Please, come with me to Brussels to talk to you at all times,” Merkel said.
The phone call with Tsipras on the referendum
“We told us the result of this debate is the announcement of a referendum. So I said to him, “But what is your recommendation to the Greek state?” But of course to vote “no”, he replied. There I really lost my voice, I was speechless. We finished the phone call, he told me he has a television profession. Hollande tells me, “And now?”
It started a difficult time for Greece, with capital controls. The rest of the eurozone already had the feeling that this would not work. We cannot negotiate a whole night and after the result is not the case.
The “no” essentially equals exit from the euro. The really striking thing is that he quickly had elections again with positive results for him, the Greek people supported him. “
When did he realize that Greece has a real debt problem?
“In February 2010 it was made clear that the problem was really big. I was told that Greece needs money. But with the “non -rescue clause” in the euro, I couldn’t give money.
I asked George Papandreou: “What do you want?” And he replied, “Nothing.”
At the meeting the Greek Prime Minister was silent, we were discussing strongly and I looked like the evil I used to say “I can’t give money”. European Council President Herman Van Robai interrupted the meeting and wrote some phrases: “Greece will do what we need, we will support and the euro is our common currency.”