Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs Nikos Chountis made the following statement before his meeting yesterday with German Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Michael Roth:
“I welcome the German Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Michael Roth, who, as you know, has often expressed friendly sentiments towards our country.
You are aware that, of late, especially during the period of memorandums and austerity in which our country found itself, Greece’s relations with Germany have been going through a difficult phase. There are pending matters, such as the matter of the occupation loan and the German reparations; issues that we believe can be dealt with. We believe – and I think that Mr. Roth also expressed this – that Germany and Greece remain friends and collaborators within the European framework.
I have just come from the European Council, where it was discussed and agreed that there should be negotiations on the political and technical level to confront the problems created for our country and our people by the austerity policy – humanitarian crisis issues – and at the same time that there should be a mutually beneficial political agreement that enables us to confront the problems facing our country as well as the whole of Europe.
In this regard, I appreciate the statements of Mr. Roth, the statements of Germany, yesterday’s statements of the heads of state and government, that in this effort, in these negotiations there has to be respect for the rights of the Greek people, there has to be respect for the democratic message sent by the elections.
I repeat that yesterday’s decision from the European Council was an important step, because it provides direction so that the talks can be carried out with respect, on the one hand, for the message of the elections, democracy in Greece, and, on the other, the principles and rules that govern the European Union and the Eurozone must be respected.
So in this framework we are optimistic that we can find a solution that is beneficial for our country and for Europe, which must overcome the problems confronting other countries, as well, regarding the future and the younger generations of European citizens.
In any case, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Roth to Athens. We know that there are many issues and sectors in which Greek-German relations can be developed, and I hope we will have constructive talks.
We will have room for a substantial conversation, stating once again the new Greek government’s intention to strengthen even further the traditional bonds of friendship between the two peoples and broaden the scope of cooperation. There is a great deal of potential for this, to the mutual benefit of German and Greek citizens.”
February 14, 2015