The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a visit to Greece met with both the Greek prime minister and president of the Hellenic Republic.
Steinmeier is on an official visit to Greece (October 29-31 ), by invitation of Greek president Katerina Sakellaropoulou, which includes travels to Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete.
Steinmeier met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday at the Maximos mansion, as reported by Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
The pair engaged in a discussion over various topics, including international developments, the prospects of Greek-German relations and the strengthening of Greek-German cooperation within EU.
Mitsotakis expressed his appreciation for Steinmeier’s planned visit to Kandanos, Crete on Thursday (October 31 ), and for acknowledging, through his presence there, the Nazi atrocities on the island during WWII.
The Greek PM, who is from Crete, stressed the issue of German war reparations and that the forced occupation loan were still very much “alive”, conveying hope that they can be resolved at some point.
Their meeting delved into the stronger economic position Greece finds itself in, a development which has enthused both nations.
“Mr President, I am truly glad to welcome you to Athens. I believe that this is a very important visit, which I consider highlights the fact that Greek-German relations are entering a different era, leaving behind us a turbulent period of crisis,” Mitsotakis said in the opening exchange of the meeting.
Steinmeier thanked Mitsotakis and said:
“I am very happy that Greece has returned to the course of economic growth, fuelling our bilateral economic transactions, and that German companies are still not simply present but also investing here in Greece.
“I therefore hope that our bilateral relations, not only economic but also exchanges in the cultural field and between the two peoples, will develop in the coming years, in the context of a democratic Europe, which represents freedom worldwide and will be a place where it is worthwhile for one to live.”
In addition to meeting Mitsotakis, Steinmeier and his spouse was hosted by President Sakellaropoulou with a dinner in his honour on Wednesday evening at the Presidential Mansion.
Sakellaropoulou said at the dinner that Greece is “a guarantor of security and stability in the eastern Mediterranean and the greater region, it shares the common values embodied in Europe, and it fights for their promotion and deepening”.
She added that their visit was the culmination of close ties of friendship between the two peoples, and their constructive collaboration in all sectors.
President Steinmeier spoke of a period of crises in Europe that tested the relationship of the two countries and reiterated his joy that Greece and Germany have reconnected.
He cited the many individuals who have united the two countries, such as painter Aris Kalaizis, legendary soccer coach Otto Rehhagel, and journalist Giorgos Pappas, who are accompanying him on his official visit to Greece.
Source: AMNA
