An interview on SKAI radio on the occasion of his election as Vice President of the EPP, the Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis gave.

“In the Bureau of the European People’s Party, opinions are exchanged and guidelines on serious issues of the European Union are exchanged. It is understood that decisions are taken in the European Council, which includes the heads of state and prime ministers. But when we are talking about a party that participates in more than half of European governments, what will be the direction of this party is of particular importance, ”he said.

He noted that EPP Vice -Presidents were also elected yesterday by Finland Prime Minister Petri Orpos, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tayyani, two commissioners, the Portuguese Foreign Minister of Portugal.

“At this time,” as he pointed out, “at least two very important issues will be discussed in the EPP: decisions on the competitiveness of the European economy, based on Leta and Draghi reports and directions on common European defense.”

At the same time, the deputy prime minister was particularly changing the change of our country’s image in Europe, which he said contributed to his own election to the EPP.

“After the outbreak of the crisis, at the beginning of the last decade, Greece’s image was affected. And it was no coincidence that we had no high party representation in the European People’s Party organs all this time. The New Democracy returns to the Vice -President of the EPP after 21 years, and this is due to the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to a great extent and to Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself, who can stand not only with adequacy, but with great comfort in international discussions and in international discussions. This is what I saw in the discussions he had with leaders of other European countries, in some of which I also participated. Including – in a few days – Chancellor of Germany Mr Martz. “

Greece, Mr. Hatzidakis noted from a black sheep in Europe, has been an example of success in the economy. “This contributes to upgrading the country’s credibility and has also contributed to my election. Our economy has just recently recorded the best performance at the budgetary level of all recent decades. “

Finally, he thanked the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mr. Vangelis Meimarakis, the other New Democracy MEPs and the Greek mission to Valencia.