Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for talks with newly sworn-in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with the latter referring to the fact that the Greek prime minister is the first European leader to officially visit the German capital after his assumption of power.
The overall upbeat mood in bilateral contacts in Berlin, the two leaders’ statements before the press and the mutual praise heaped on each other are indicative of the distance covered since relations dangerously soured during the height of the Greek crisis a decade ago.
A day earlier Mitsotakis was in Rome for talks with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and to attend the signing of several high-profile agreements, namely, the construction of a second undersea power cable connecting the two countries via the Adriatic Sea and a pledge by Italy’s FS to invest more than 360 million euros in its rail subsidiary in Greece.
Merz, in fact, noted that Mitsotakis’ visit reveals the closeness in ties between Berlin and Athens.
“This indicates that we desire continued good relations and close cooperation, in order to resolve problems,” he added.
The new center-right German chancellor cited close ties in the economic and defense sector, stressing that both sides are in agreement that if Vladimir Putin does not respond to Europe’s proposals, a new package of sanctions agreed to by the European Union and its partners should be imposed.
Regarding the pressing issue of illegal migration flows, the Merz acknowledged that this is problems faced by both countries, while he expressed hope that new and stricter rules of granting asylum, in tandem with better cooperation with third countries from where migrants hail, will yield results.
In terms of so-called “secondary migration”, Merz said arrivals to Germany must be reduced and repatriations increased, calling for cooperation between the relevant ministers in both countries on this issue.
On his part, Mitsotakis said his country over the past six years – i.e. since he was elected prime minister – has been “writing a new chapter” in its history, speaking alongside the German chancellor.
In reference to the Greek economy, which a decade ago and for roughly 10 years was Europe’s “sick man”, he said that “after a very rough 10-year crisis, our economy is one of the strongest in the Eurozone, a fact reflected by high primary budget surpluses.”
Mitsotakis also pointed to record-breaking tourist seasons years after year, an emphasis on continued reforms and Greece emergence as an attractive destination for German investment.
Merz, in close step, heaped praise on Athens for its economic performance and cited a “huge respect” over what he called the “impressive strides” posted under Mitsotakis’ tenure, such as reforms, and labor market liberalization.
German Air Force Luftwaffe servicemen direct Eurofighter Typhoon fighter after Baltic air policing mission in Lielvarde military air base, Latvia April 17, 2024. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Question on Eurofighter sale
Asked about the prospect of the four-country European consortium producing the Eurofighter “Typhoon” allowing the sale of 40 fighter planes to Turkey, the Greek PM said:
“it’s not the job of a prime minister that’s a guest in a great country like Germany to suggest the way in which Germany will conduct sales of weapons systems. However, I think there’s an understanding as to the need for such procurements to meet certain conditions, which have to do with third countries; third countries that want to be associated with Europe and who must demonstrate compliance in terms of common foreign and security policy, and why not, sign a defense cooperation agreement with the EU. In other words, there should be a framework in which the particularities of all states are taken into account.”
