The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, stated in Berlin today that “Germany acknowledges that Greece is surpassing itself on the refugee issue, while at the same time participating in the resolution of the crisis, supporting the joint European effort and accommodating thousands of refugees.” Mr. Xydakis had successive meetings today with the German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, and State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior Emily Haber.
During the meetings, the collocutors focused on the refugee/migration crisis. References were made to the Greek programme for reforms and consolidation of the Greek economy, and a review was carried out of the course of bilateral relations.
In particular with regard to the refugee/migration crisis, Messrs. Xydakis and Roth agreed on the European nature of the issue and the need for Europe to rise to the occasion, giving precedence to solidarity. Mr. Roth highlighted Germany’s will to contribute, acknowledging that Greece cannot be left to bear the burden on its own.
Mr. Xydakis underscored that Greece, in its effort to meet the huge challenge of the refugee crisis – particularly in the midst of a negative economic state of affairs like that of the past six years – very much appreciates the support and understanding of its partners and is pursuing joint solutions, in accordance with the logic of burden-sharing and solidarity among the member states of the European Union. He also highlighted Germany’s positive response and noted the need for more experts to be sent to support the asylum processes, so as to improve the functioning of the plan for relocation of refugees from Greece to countries of the EU.
Messrs. Xydakis and Roth agreed that the implementation of the agreement provides an opportunity to deal with the trafficking networks through the creation of a safe route of access for refugees to Europe, via the relocation mechanism, directly from Turkey.
The refugee and migration issue was also the focus of Mr. Xydakis’ meeting with Ms. Haber, who highlighted the reduction of flows into Greece that has been seen of late and expressed cautious optimism regarding developments in the refugee issue in the near future. The collocutors focused on the means necessary for the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement. Ms. Haber noted that Germany is already helping with specialized personnel who are in Greece, while a mission of additional experts is being planned for the coming time.
Mr. Xydakis has scheduled a number of interviews with the German news media during his three-day stay in Berlin, with the aim of informing German public opinion with regard to Greece’s positions.
Mr. Xydakis will conclude his visit on Sunday, 17 April, with the ceremony for the unveiling the commemorative plaque in honor of the Greek men and women held at Ravensbrück concentration camp between 1943 and 1945.
April 15, 2016