Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meets with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna on an official visit to Austria.
The discussion between the two leaders and the two countries’ delegations focused on current developments on the issue of migration. While on this subject, S. Kurz expressed his full confidence in the Greek Government’s handling of this explosive problem, which is currently threatening the Greek borders, which are also Europe’s borders. Following the recent visit of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mr Schallenberg, to Athens, he also reaffirmed that his country is ready to actively assist Greece. As stated by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Austrian flag is already waving in Evros, next to the Greek and Cypriot flags, which are soon to be joined by the flags of other European countries.
The meeting also reviewed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.
The issue of the coronavirus, which is an urgent public health challenge, not only for Europe, but also for the whole world, was also discussed. In this context, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised that the measures undertaken by the Greek Government will be updated according to the developments. As part of the precautionary measures, the Ministry of Health accepted the recommendation of the Committee of Scientists to shut down all universities, technology institutes, schools and nurseries for 14 days.
He added that it is very important that we capitalize on the time we have to protect the vulnerable population, but also to further strengthen the National Health System.
The excellent bilateral relations between the two countries were confirmed and the scope for further strengthening of economic and commercial cooperation has been explored, with a focus on investment and energy.
Both sides emphasised their willingness to work together against climate change and promote green economy. Particular emphasis was placed on the cooperation between the two countries on tourism. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed on closer cooperation between the two countries’ stakeholders, with a twofold goal as follows. Firstly, to upgrade tourism education in Greece by drawing on the best practices of the highly successful Austrian model; secondly, to support other forms of tourism, such as winter tourism and wellness tourism, which both display dynamic growth and are relevant throughout the year.
At the same time, given the strong historical ties that unite Greece and Austria in the field of culture and diaspora, the ever-expanding tourist cooperation has emerged.
The extended discussion was attended by Greek Deputy Foreign Minister for Migration and Asylum, George Koumoutsakos, Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman, Stelios Petsas, Head of the Prime Minister’s Diplomatic Office, Ambassador Eleni Sourani, Ambassador of Greece to Austria, Aikaterini Koika and Head of the Financial Office of the Prime Minister’s General Secretariat, Alexis Patelis.
