German ambassador in Athens: The rejection of Turkish positions is clear

The message that “the more threatening the rhetoric from the East and the more openly the Turkish leadership questions international law and Greek sovereignty, the clearer is Berlin’s public rejection of these positions”, as well as that the Germany stands in solidarity with Greece, the ambassador of Germany sent to our country Ernst Reichel in his greeting at the reception given by the German embassy in our country for the Day of German Unity. In fact, he emphasized that at a time when Ukrainians are fighting for their survival as a nation, “we should defend international law with greater determination than ever throughout Europe, because international law is the basis for peace.” Otherwise, as he explained, the enforcement of the law of the militarily stronger at the expense of the militarily weaker will prevail.

In more detail, during his greeting, the German ambassador proposed European solidarity to deal with Turkey’s threatening rhetoric against Greece, Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, inflation, climate change and the pandemic, and expressed the belief that Germany and Greece, “even in these turbulent times, they remain close friends and partners and that they are on a very good, common path.”

In particular, regarding “the unprecedented Russia’s war of conquest in Ukraine“, he expressed his particular satisfaction for the fact that the international reaction was united and strong, but also for the fact that Greece also took such a clear and unambiguous position. “This war threatens not only Ukraine but the security of the whole of Europe and beyond: Because if Russia really wins the war or appears to be winning it, then we cannot rule out aggression elsewhere,” he said.

At this point, he focused on the contribution of Greece and Germany, through their cooperation in providing aid to Ukraine, saying that it is not negligible. “Greece will supply Ukraine with Soviet-style tanks, which will be replaced with German tanks,” he said and expressed his thanks “for the cooperation in a spirit of trust in concluding this agreement.”

In addition, he did not fail to mention climate change and the need to transition to a sustainable form of economy. “In this field, Greece and Germany are making joint efforts within the EU. And this is where the results of European solidarity can be seen: The EU is the one that has a large part of the resources to finance large investments. And behind the EU are, of course, its member states, which cooperate with each other and distribute the burdens in a solidarity manner” he noted.

Overall, he expressed confidence that “we will weather these turbulent times […] Because the crises I listed have something in common: as Europeans we face them together and in a spirit of solidarity, as friends in Europe, who believe in and defend common values,” he underlined.

Ernst Reichel made a special reference to the celebration of Germany’s national anniversary at “The Ellinikon Experience Center” and what it signifies for the future of Athens. “As you all found out, we are not celebrating today at our usual place in Chalandri. The embassy residence there has been turned into a construction site for now. And maybe that’s why it seems strange to you that we chose another construction site as a place. However, this place – and certainly the core of the biggest urban development project in Europe right now – is surrounded by imagination about what it will look like in one, five or even ten years. This space represents a plan for the future of Athens. It also symbolizes the economic growth we are experiencing and looking forward to throughout the country, as well as a new sense of self-confidence in Greece. And we are happy about that in Germany,” he said.

He also pointed out that the fact that the German national anniversary is celebrated in Hellinikon “makes me think that Germany, as the leading foreign investor and trade partner of Greece, plays a not so negligible role in this positive development”.

In this context, he noted that the fact that this progress is being observed in an era of accumulated crises and uncertainties makes it even more important.

Concluding his greeting, the German ambassador thanked the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It is noted that the reception at The Ellinikon Experience Center in the homonymous municipality of Attica, for the celebration of the Day of German Unity, was attended by the member of the Federal Lower House, Thomas Rachel after his wife Rachel-Tsakona. The celebration began with the national anthems of Greece and Germany, which were performed by the children’s choir of the church of Agia Barbara Argyroupoli and the Underground Youth Orchestra.

The German Unity Day celebration was attended by, among others, the Ministers of Health Thanos Pleuris and Ministers of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Christos Stylianidis, the Deputy Minister of Social Security Panos Tsakoglou, the Head of Foreign Affairs of SYRIZA Giorgos Katrougalos, the Secretary General of International Economic Relations and External Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yiannis Smyrlis, the head of GEETHA, Konstantinos Floros, and heads of diplomatic delegations.

It is noted that the Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos was ultimately unable to attend the event, in which he was scheduled to address, due to health reasons, as the ambassador announced.

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