I would like to thank the Chancellor for the very warm welcome and her friendly response to all matters concerning Greece. I would also like to thank the German people for their steady support towards the Greek people over the last ten difficult years.
We had a very sincere, productive exchange of views on the exit of the Greek economy from the crisis, but also on the challenge of growth in Europe as a whole. Most of all, however, I conveyed to the Chancellor our sincere commitment to deep, structural reforms. Going faster and deeper than the reform initiatives that were imposed on the country during the Memorandum. These reforms will be done by us because they concern us. And in these changes, we want Germany to be our ally.
I am here to change the context of Greek-German relations. I do not want to simply discuss debt repayment and budgetary goals, but to discuss our common growth challenges. After all, the stronger the economic growth in Greece is, the more viable the Greek debt becomes.
And after a decade of crisis, Greece is now looking to the future with confidence. That is why we are preparing, together with Germany, a large investment program. We want to place emphasis on green economy and the protection of the environment. That is why we want to launch, and present – hopefully with the Chancellor – at the beginning of the year, an ambitious investment plan in the “green economy”: renewable energy, waste management and electricity – productive activities that are environmentally friendly. We have a lot in common in this area. These are solutions that are in the interest of Greece as well as of Germany and are part of our common desire to radically and substantially address the issue of climate change and transition to a low-emission economy.
We also discussed climate change. Regarding the fires we had in Greece, I thanked the Chancellor for her support of the rescEU program. An effort that needs to be completed soon.
We also discussed issues such as refugee crisis and what is happening in our wider neighborhood in the Balkans. Greece will do whatever it takes to accelerate the flow of returns to Turkey and to improve the living conditions for the refugees in Greece.
We look not only to the European Union, but also to Germany, for external border security. Greece’s borders are Europe’s borders. And we have to work together in this area. Immigration is after all, a top political priority for the next European Commission President, Ms. Ursula Van Der Leyen. We will also work together on the formation of a single European asylum policy – an issue that I know the Chancellor is interested in.
We also discussed Turkey, and the Cyprus issue. The actions of our neighbors in the coastal zone of the Republic of Cyprus are illegal. Athens and Berlin agree on this. Which is why there has been a common European reaction.
We also discussed the issues regarding the Balkans. The Chancellor is aware of my view that the Prespa Agreement is an agreement with serious defects. Defects, however, can be mitigated only through the European prospects of the countries in the Western Balkans. Europe, after all, remains our natural place. A Europe that is now being tested by the rise of populists. From the great challenge of Brexit. But a Europe whose importance should be enhanced in an unstable environment.
I am here in Berlin, just 50 days after the Greek elections. And I think our victory has sent a message: It has shown that our country can reject economic stagnation by choosing growth and progress. And it can also condemn populism, erasing from the political map parties such as the Golden Dawn. It is proof of the maturity of the Greek people. And I believe that it is a ray of light for Democracy throughout Europe.
I am the 5th Greek Prime Minister to visit you in Germany. And I hope that I will be the one who can lead my country out of the crisis, so that Greece can play a decisive role in Europe once more.
Thank you again for the warm welcome and the excellent cooperation. And I hope to be able to receive you in Athens soon.
Thank you very much.
