Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis described in an interview to German newspaper “Bild” how Greece managed to contain the pandemic, while presenting the Government’s plan to safely open the country to visitors from abroad. At the same time, much of the interview focuses on the Government-implemented measures to support employment, the Merkel-Macron plan and the reactions developed in light of the forthcoming Summit.
In his conversation with journalists Liana Spyropoulou and Paul Ronzheimer, Kyriakos Mitsotakis particularly focused on the fact that Greece stands out for its high reliability for the first time after long: “We are a positive example and this creates a sense of security and confidence in the State’s ability to respond effectively among the people”, he claimed.
“We intend to open tourism activities for countries with epidemiological data similar to Greece”, the Prime Minister underlined.
“Germany will be included, based on the data we have seen so far. Of course, German tourists will be welcome in Greece from July 1 in terms of direct flights to the islands, and from June 15 if they wish to come to Athens”, he added.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis clarified that, over the next stage, not all those who arrive in our country will be compulsorily examined. Rather, sampling tests will be performed to prevent any epidemic outbreak. The Prime Minister added that tests will be accompanied by an electronic application, which will provide valuable health information to travellers, as well as by reinforcing island testing capacities.
“Visitors will have access to an application, providing basic information, instructions and directions to the nearest health facility. We will also make sure that all islands, even the smallest, have sufficient tests, in case someone needs to be tested. If an incident occurs, it will be possible for anyone to be transferred to one of the main hospitals in Athens. Therefore, we are studying the situation carefully, aiming to ensure that we will organise health care services in a way that allows visitors and residents alike to feel safe”, the Prime Minister continued.
“We will also be applying basic rules of social distancing related to tourists’ experience in Greece. This will involve simple acts, such as keeping distances or protecting staff in taverns and hotels by wearing a face mask. You see, everyone is wearing their masks here. We want everyone to enjoy the best possible experience. We do not know yet how will we proceed with nightclubs. There may be some limitations there. But in terms of tourists’ basic experience, that is, going to the beach, going to a nice tavern, or to a restaurant, everything will be exactly the same, with just a few extra precautions. The beaches actually opened about ten days ago. Order prevailed, distances for umbrellas and sunbeds were kept, and everything was carried out in a rather organised way. So we expect the same to happen when we open our gates to tourism”, stated Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“Essentially, summer life in Greece means staying outside. Therefore, we want to limit indoor activities as much as possible. As you can see, this will be easy, because no one wants to come to Greece to stay indoors in the summer; people want to come to Greece so that they can stay outdoors at all times. Except for sleeping, one can actually stay outdoors at all hours”, he adds.
Global crisis: employment is a priority.
Regarding damage to the economy by the Coronavirus crisis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis notes: “This is a global crisis and we are in uncharted waters. The same applies for Greece, Germany, France, for all countries. We know that we will face deep recession. We hope that this recession will prove deep, but short, and that in 2021 we will cover the lost ground to a great extent. You were right to point out that we were doing very well before the pandemic. We are a new Government, just elected last July, when we implemented a reform programme that has attracted the interest of foreign investors for Greece. But I believe our reform programme still remains extraordinarily relevant”.
At the same time, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stands by the Government’s plan to support employment during the summer: “We have given businesses, small and large, additional flexibility to hire as many employees as possible. The State will cover the rest of the “bill”, as we have done so far, and as we should do in times of crisis”.
“The Merkel-Macron plan is an important first step”
When asked about the Merkel-Macron plan for a European Recovery Fund, which will provide grants rather than loans, the Greek PM said: “It is an ambitious proposal that constitutes a very important first step in demonstrating European solidarity over a crisis that affects us all. And I hope that the Commission will move towards a similar direction”.
“This is a pandemic that has hit us all. The European Union has the ability to borrow; the Commission can borrow at very low interest rates and to support countries that need help. This will be for the good of Europe as a whole, for the good of all member states. And I am positive that we will be able to convince smaller countries, the so-called 4 restrained countries, that this is the right way to act”, he said, commenting on the reactions to the plan.
When asked, the Greek Prime Minister stressed that Chancellor Merkel “treats the present situation as a historic moment for the European Union. In fact, I think it is important for her own posthumous reputation that she makes a key step and suggests a plan of action that was not very popular in Germany until recently, explaining at the same time the reasons for doing so. I believe that this proposal lays the groundwork for something important and I am confident that an agreement will be reached at the next Summit”.
Taking a stand against the views of those who point out the danger of corruption (in Germany and elsewhere), namely that money to Greece may be “channelled in the wrong direction”, the Prime Minister stresses that the Government has “set the bar too high in terms of integrity and transparency”.
“I will give you an example of how money is allocated today. The current SURE programme, which aims to support temporary employment, will be used to support young people”, he said, citing the implementation of important infrastructure projects and safeguarding the transition to green energy as examples of money allocation.
“You asked me where the money would go. Another example is that we are closing all our coal mines in northern Greece, earlier than Germany. Therefore, part of the money will be allocated to support the transition to green energy in an entire region of Greece, which is currently heavily dependent on coal and whose residents will have to find other employment. Naturally, German companies will also benefit. RWE has reached an agreement with PPC to install a very large photovoltaic park at the site of an old lignite plant. Therefore, this is in the interest of German companies as well, because I want to change the narrative; it is no longer a matter of debt repayment to the EU, but of investment opportunities, which will benefit Greek companies, create jobs and at the same time benefit German companies. A forum in Berlin was the last event held before the Coronavirus. It was the last public event I attended, and I believe it was also the last public event for Chancellor Merkel. We were together at the forum on March 9, where we talked with German companies and encouraged them to come and invest in Greece, an invitation that is still valid. In Greece we have the Thessaloniki International Fair, an important trade fair. This year, Germany will be the honoured country. I hope that I will be able to welcome the Chancellor at the TIF in September and that we may continue the argumentation, explaining why it is in the interest of German companies for Greece to do well”.
Greece guards Europe’s borders.
Asked to comment on Turkey’s statements on a new attempt to send refugees and migrants to cross the border into Greece and the EU, the Prime Minister once again sends a clear message:
“We have made it crystal clear that Greece will protect its borders and that Greek borders are also the borders of the European Union. Faced with a systematic attempt on Turkey’s part to send refugees and migrants into Greece, we refused to defer; this cannot happen, and so we defended our borders. Three days later, the European Union leadership came to northern Greece and offered full political support to our country, since we also acted on behalf of Europe. We intend to continue to do so. I want to be honest with you; we need to cooperate with Turkey on the refugee issue. Turkey is home to almost four million refugees and is entitled to receive assistance from Europe. I have expressed this to President Erdogan from the beginning, but it is something that cannot be achieved in terms of blackmail. So let us have an honest discussion on how Europe may help Turkey. As you know, we had an agreement, the joint EU-Turkey Statement, which worked relatively well and which we can improve. So let us put aside threats and moves that encourage desperate people to try crossing the borders, even though they know they will fail. Let us talk honestly with Turkey about the refugee issue, and I am certain we will reach a mutually acceptable solution. But this cannot be achieved with threats or blackmail. We have proved that we can defend our borders and, if necessary, we will do so again”.
