JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, you have a series of meetings with foreign diplomats in Athens today. What is the subject of these meetings you are having?
N. KOTZIAS: This morning I saw all the diplomats from the EU member states, plus the diplomatic representatives of the countries of Norway and Switzerland. I explained why our government took the measures with regard to the banking system. I explained that, in reality, these measures have been taken by the European Central Bank with the stopping of the ELA and, as a result, so that we can go to the referendum calmly, the government concluded on yesterday’s measures.
I explained to them something that interests them much more: the case of the referendum. I reminded them that referenda are a common phenomenon in the EU, with positive repercussions for the further development of Europe. The referenda we had in France and Denmark are characteristic examples of this. And, above all, I reminded them of the Irish referendum, in the case of which 20 member states had already approved the Treaty, and Ireland voted no, forcing Europe to start over with the negotiations. So I underscored to them that what is something very natural in the history of the EU should stop seeming strange and absurd to them when Greece does it.
Greece has no desire to leave the euro. Nor has it said that. But it has no desire to submit, either. In the dilemma of “submission or Grexit,” Greece has chosen the battle for more democracy in the EU and in our country. In other words, I explained that the referendum is part of the negotiations, with the people voicing their opinion on a specific question. And the news media in their countries – and the ambassadors should help us in this – should stop distorting the meaning, the direction and the aim of this referendum.
I also explained to them the special measures that have been taken for tourists – the fact that tourists can use their cards to withdraw as much money as they need, because that money is automatically returned to the accounts of the Greek Banks. And I asked them to help the major flow of tourism to our country right now – it increased 39% in the first four months, with a 16% increase in revenues. We need this flow to continue, because it is in the interest of the EU, the other member states, and Greece. I underscored to them that Greece was and remains – regardless of the crisis – a very, very beautiful and hospitable country.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, do you believe that there is room for a return to the talks before Sunday, or is all attention now focused on the referendum?
N. KOTZIAS: I think that the Greek government stated in every possible way that the proposal we made to the Eurogroup remains on the table, and we are always open to continuing these negotiations. Personally, I believe that a big, booming ‘no’ will give wings and energy to the Greek government to bring to pass a better agreement than the one they offered us.
June 29, 2015