JOURNALIST: What are the benefits and ‘gains’ from our country’s response to the pandemic?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Without a doubt, through its successful response to the pandemic, our country has regained a good deal of credibility abroad. But beyond the universal recognition of its efforts, Greece is also making gains in other sectors. After ten years of crisis and distrust of institutions, citizens developed a new trust in the state. This is an enormous achievement. Additionally, proper management of the pandemic gave us time to better organize our health services, while reforms were implemented at a faster pace, which citizens see in their everyday lives. It is also worth noting that our successful response to the pandemic is a major defeat for populism. Citizens complied with the most difficult decisions and restrictions, ignoring fake news. Battles are won through great deeds, not big words. And it is important that we won the major battle together with the citizens of Greece.
JOURNALIST: What does the European Commission’s proposed Recovery Fund mean for the Greek economy and the future of Europe?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: Recently, Greece has repeatedly said that the response to the crisis must be bold, flexible and based more on grants than on loans. The European Commission’s €750 billion proposal for the recovery of the European economy is a bold and ambitious proposal that meets all of these requirements. It is a proposal upon which we can build a better future for Europe. The €32 billion that will come to Greece – which, together with the funding from the European budget, will exceed €50 billion – is a bold incentive for jump-starting the economy. And this will be done in a targeted manner, so that this money has an impact, because, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in the cabinet meeting, “We won’t scatter this money around carelessly, as if it were a windfall.” It is the largest support package without memorandum-style commitments. It is a gesture of trust in our country. The European Commission’s proposal also sends a message that, in spite of any differences, the member states can move ahead together in true solidarity. In the Europe of the 21st century, there are no trenches or dividing lines. The major issues require joint responses.
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JOURNALIST: Following the recent events with the fence in Evros, are you concerned about the ongoing and increasing provocations from Turkey? Is there room for understanding and dialogue?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: As the Prime Minister has said, the border doesn’t move. It’s the same as it always was. The fence will be built. Greece has shown that it knows how to guard its borders. And our borders are also Europe’s borders. Allow me to repeat that we do not want to see the militarisation of our disputes. But we are prepared and determined to defend our borders against any attempt made to violate them. This is what we did a few months ago in Evros, and we are doing the same thing every day in the Aegean. We aren't making any concessions where our national sovereignty is concerned. Turkey’s perpetuation of the tensions doesn't even help Turkey itself. Particularly when we have to respond to the pandemic’s serious impact on economies – and especially tourism. Greece will continue to pursue substantial dialogue with the other side, as long as our neighbours realise that we can’t have understanding in an environment of constant provocations and extreme actions.
JOURNALIST: Our country holds the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe for the next six months. What does this mean for our country?
M. VARVITSIOTIS: The Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is yet another opportunity for our country to play a leading role in international fora. The Greek Chairmanship wants to be an innovative Chairmanship, adapted to the new conditions created by the pandemic. A central issue will be the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in the Covid-19 era. A key innovation will be that many of our actions will be carried out digitally, in what will be the first e-Chairmanship. We also aim to make this an open Chairmanship that addresses the broader public via its official website, which will function as a forum for public debate. It is important for us to show that our country managed the epidemiological crisis with respect for democratic institutions. Our country is building its national credibility from scratch, in the economy, on national issues and in the sector of human rights.
May 31, 2020