The prime minister for Greece-Germany relations, the sale of Eurofighter fighter aircraft to Turkey, the migration and the war in Ukraine
“Thanks for the reception and the honor, as I am the first European to receive. The Greek -German relations once tested today have matured. They are based on mutual respect, honest dialogue and good cooperation, “Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed in joint statements with German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz in Berlin.
“The role of your country is focused in Europe. It brings Athens and Berlin even closer. The Chancellor knows that Greece has been writing a new chapter for the last 6 years, “the prime minister noted and referred to specific elements of the economy. “This prudent policy is reflected in large primary surpluses, in the rapid shrinking of public debt, in the treatment of tax evasion. We recovered the investment level. This is a springboard for more investment. German companies invest more in my home country. Greece is turning a page and will continue the reforms that will make it an attractive destination for investment, “said the prime minister, who also spoke about the Greek community in Germany, which has over half a million.
For Ukraine, Mr Mitsotakis said they had agreed to the immediate and unconditional 30 -day truce and talked about the country’s territorial integrity. The prime minister said the EU should be at the center of any settlement under international law and that Europe must be united by taking responsibility for its own defense “contributing to the coverage of Member States with similar funding”.
She rewarded Germany’s decisions to strengthen her own defense spending, noting that she was opening room for cooperation in the defense sector. “We need to strengthen the defense industry but we have the responsibility to carefully choose our interlocutors. They should be aligned with European foreign policy because otherwise the interest of security and Europe’s autonomy and reliability will be at risk, “Mr Mitsotakis said, while saying that the EU’s cooperation with the US was necessary.
For the migration, the prime minister said Germany realizes the challenges and that the Chancellor recognizes how difficult it is to be a country at the forefront and to protect national and European borders. “It is a matter of major national security and the closest partnership of Athens and Berlin is essential. We must emphasize the external dimension, returns and the implementation of the European Immigration and Asylum Pact, “he added. “Berlin, which is a city that has lived through division, reminds us that Europe’s real power is not the walls, but the bridges. The Greek -German bridges are becoming stronger, ”he said in his introductory position.
Answering a question about European defense, the prime minister noted that “we have made significant progress for activating the escape clause” and thanked Germany for the role it played. “We have not yet agreed on a new financial tool for defense spending. This is a debate that needs to be done with honesty and honesty in the European Council as we face common challenges. We have not yet reached the point of having this discussion in depth. I believe that in subsequent European Councils we will hear Chancellor’s views on this issue, “Mr Mitsotakis continued.
Answering another question about the Greek economy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that Greece is a country that is now an example of fiscal compliance. “We have a high debt that we reduce at a very high speed. We are convinced that we will achieve the goals of primary surpluses. We have requested additional flexibility for the escape clause for defense expenditure. Greece will fully achieve the budgetary goals it has set. Will still reduce her debt. It is my personal commitment that my country will never go through a corresponding crisis like the one that knelt it in 2015. It is a non -negotiable priority and a commitment, “he said.
Asked about the work and after Mr Mertz’s response, Mr Mitsotakis clarified that the five days in Greece is legally guaranteed. “We have added degrees of flexibility to labor law to meet the needs of workers and businesses in such a way that we can also safeguard and support the productivity of Greek businesses,” he noted.
The prime minister also referred to the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Governance. “The Greek experience is extremely positive. It is better to serve the citizen and enables us to confront the structural weaknesses of the Greek administration. The digital work card records real hours of work and puts labor legislation in a new context. I reiterated the need for the reforms to be made soon so that their benefits would be felt in society. I encouraged the Chancellor to dare in the field of sprouting and move in faster steps, “Mr Mitsotakis said.
Answering a subsequent question about the migration,, the prime minister stressed that a significant shift of the European debate from the internal to the external dimension of the issue has been significantly shifted at the moment with an emphasis on guarding the external borders and the realization of returns of those who are not asylum. “I recognize the issue of secondary flows. We have not agreed. I am dealing with the issue with understanding and asking Germany myself in terms of what it means to guard the border, “he added.
To sell Eurofighter fighters from Germany to Turkey, Mr Mitsotakis said that “it is not a prime minister’s job in a large country to indicate the way Germany will sales weapons systems.” He noted that there is an understanding of the need for such sales and defense partnerships to meet the conditions. “Third countries show high compliance with foreign and security policy or even sign a defense agreement with the EU,” he added.
Asked about the rule of law, the Prime Minister noted: “Greece is a democracy that operates very well and the final judge of the rule of law can be no other than the European Commission submitting an annual report. It seems strange to me when in such rankings by non -governmental organizations, my country that is well -operated democracy is under African countries that are not particularly distinguished for their democratic reflexes. In Greece anyone can say and write whatever they want. There is absolute freedom of expression. Criticism of my government is intense and we accept that this is part of the way favored democracies work. “