By Gifts Antoniou

Messages for the particularly positive climate in relations between Greece and Germany, who sought to broadcast yesterday from Berlin Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Friedrich Mertz, did not hide the different approaches to important issues, primarily in the migratorybut also in Defense cooperation with third countrieswith Athens also expressing the asterisks in the German capital in a possible upgrade of Turkey’s role.

The migratory, and in particular the parameter of the secondary flows, is a pendulum that remains to be seen exactly how it will evolve, as in their statements yesterday the two leaders referred to the consultations and consultations through the relevant ministries of the two countries in order to find a solution.

Chancellor Mertz, however, was clear in his statement that “Secondary migration from Greece to Germany must be reduced.” A statement that cannot be ignored, especially as in Germany the debate on returns in our country of immigrants who have arrived there as secondary flows is up to date.

Mr. Mitsotakis in his statements underlined: “I recognize that there are issues of secondary flows. We are in an open discussion with the German government. We have not agreed to all as to the context of understanding this problem ». To add that “I am dealing with this issue by understanding the German side, as I ask for a German understanding of what it means to be in the difficult position to guard Europe’s external borders. However, with a good mood and through a framework for cooperation with our relevant Ministries, I believe we will come up with solutions that will be mutually beneficial. ”

In addition, the Prime Minister pointed out: “As I said to Chancellor, migration is not only a humanitarian issue, it is a major issue of national security and that is why the even closer Athens and Berlin partnership is necessary, with the priority of effective cooperation between the two states. We must emphasize the external dimension, returns and the proper implementation of the European Immigration and Asylum Pact. ”

The Eurofighter

On the issue of selling Euffighter aircraft to Turkey, Mr Mitsotakis raised the context of Athens’ reflection, having previously clarified that he could not indicate the way Germany will make sales of weapons systems.

“But I believe that there is one, I would tell you, understanding the need for such sales, but also possible future defense partnerships to meet certain basic conditions. And these conditions have to do with the fact that the third countries that somehow want to link defensively to Europe should show, if anything, a high compliance with the common foreign and security policy or – why not? – to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the European Union. That is, there is a framework in which the particularities of all Member States will be taken into account. I think this is something reasonable, which the Chancellor understands too. “the prime minister stressed.

Chancellor Mertz has avoided making a direct reference to Turkey and the issue of Eurofighter. But in a broader position for new needs in defense, he spoke of ‘Open ears’ When it comes to participating in EU member states in European Security and Defense Policy, making a nominal reference to Britain and Norway, without excluding cooperation with other third countries.