Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the German-Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin on Monday to discuss economic issues plaguing Greece and the migration crisis at Greece’s eastern borders. He also participated in a panel by the German Council on Foreign Relations, titled “Greece on the Rise and Its European and Global Role” and met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He said that Greece was on the path towards growth, and that new problems were not slowing down reforms.
“The assymetric threat from the east changes the priorities and the health crisis makes our work more difficult. In the last 10 days we have shown that we can defend our national and European sovereignty. Greece and Europe cannot be blackmailed by anyone,” he said.
Mr Mitsotakis said that European solidarity is evident in the support offered by many European countries. “When we needed our friends, dear Angela (Merkel), they gave us both moral and practical support,” he added. “We are entering a new stage in regards to migration. President Erdogan will be in Brussels this afternoon and I consider this development positive. I hope it is the start of the de-escalation of the crisis.”
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Mr Mitsotakis pointed out that if the Turkish president wants a review of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration “which he has, himself, effectively demolished,” then he must remove the desperate people in Evros and stop spreading fake news and propaganda. Other suggestions included creating a joint patrol to stem the flow of migrants to the turkish border and said that the return of those who illegally enter Greece should be possible from mainland Greece as well as the islands.
Mr Mitsotakis also asked for the relocation of children and teenagers from Greece to Europe. “I call on the countries to participate in this tangible proof of solidarity,” he noted.
On Greek ties with Germany, Mr Mitsotakis said that they were “equal partners, who will be able to launch investments for the benefit of both sides.”
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He described Greece’s current economic indicators as “extremely positive” and the highest since the turn of the century.