On August August 2019 the Kyriakos Mitsotakis first passed the door of German Chancellor to meet the Angela Merkel. Mr Mitsotakis was a “fresh” prime minister and had launched a “restoration” campaign for our country’s international image, systematizing his contacts with foreign leaders. Six years have passed since then, and Mr Mitsotakis has returned to Chancellor today to meet the … third chancellor of his term. Intervened Altf Saltz who fired a few days ago, while the Friedrich Mertz He will welcome Mr Mitsotakis’ visit the first international guest of his term that officially began last week.
Athens’ relations with Berlin have been complicated for many years, but they have been distracted. Mr. Mitsotakis and the lady Merkel They never managed to find The chemistry that the Macrovia Chancellor had with Alexis Tsipras. For Mr. Mitsotakis, however, the crucial thing was to restore Greece’s image at Germany and cease to be presented as Europe’s “black sheep”. Mrs Merkel’s successor, Olf Saltz, was theoretically more different, while his government’s positions (due to the participation of the Greens Party) were more distant to Turkey. But again, Mr Saltz had a more “bureaucratic” approach to several things, without departing several times in German dogmatism. In recent months, of course, the German “turn” for European defense has resulted in European decisions on Rearm EU and the great $ 150 billion program to re -equip the Union.
The relationship with Mertz and the prize
In the case of Mr Mertz, Mr. Mitsotakis has found a interlocutor, with whom he transmits the same wavelength. Both come from the financial sector and have a “technocratic” profile. Have met several times in private, Last weeks ago on the sidelines of the EPP conference in Valencia.
But now, Mr Mertz is active Chancellor and the discussion on all open issues, from her, from her Ukraine and tradeto the common defense and migratory They are of particular importance to Mr Mitsotakis. After all, as Rome pointed out yesterday the prime minister, Greece-as well as other European south countries-are coming to the European debate from a good position and with the growth rates of multiple Eurozone.
Mr. Mitsotakis, who scores well in popularity in Germany, is expected to speak as an honorary guest at his annual conference Economic Council Germanywhere he will be awarded for government reforms and the recovery of the Greek economy. The organization is in the German Christian Democrats and has members of approximately 11,000 mainly medium -sized enterprises, which also reflects the tightening of the two parties’ relationships on Mr Mertz’s days, who is expected to be present at the relevant event.
Turkey’s role
Note, in Athens, they did not go unnoticed Mr Mertz’s recent statements about the potential Eurofighter supply to Turkey. There are, of course, illusions that Turkey will not be able to be equipped further, but for Greece, time is valuable, so that the 12 -year equipment program recently described by Mr Mitsotakis and Defense Minister Nikos Dendia can go as much as possible.
For the Greek government perhaps most critical it is not to join the Turkey In the European security architecture “from the back door”, with “weapon” relations with capitals such as Rome, Madrid and, of course, Berlin, which has traditional political and trade relations with Ankara.
“We can strengthen our defense industries. We can invest in research, technology, form a common security strategy. And in this context, I think it is very crucial to choose our interlocutors on a basic criterion if they are finally aligned with foreign policy and the interests of the Union, “Mr Mitsotakis emphasized from Rome, meaningful. After meeting with Mrs. Melon. “Because, of course, European defense, our strategic autonomy, are not served by creating new dependencies. And provided that there is a coincidence of our common interests, taking into account the particularities of each country, of course, and we are open to such partnerships, “he added.
The reserved
A critical parameter for Athens is also immigration, with an emphasis on both flowing and deportation to countries of origin. A critical parameter for Athens is not to be “activated” on a large scale the recent judged by a German court For deportations to the countries of the first reception of immigrants arrested in Germany and are not entitled to asylum.