The red carpet was there, the military band was there, German Chancellor was there. They all were there awaiting to welcome Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with military honors in his first visit to Berlin.
Merkel walked a few steps do the car, Tsipras got off, gave a a smile, held her hand. They chatted a little bit probably about the flight and the weather.
In the yard of the Chancellery building, the band played the Greek and the German national anthems, and both leaders stood there in their black coats on a deep red carpet.
The choice of color was logical and expected as both Merkel and Tsipras have something in common: she has a communist ex-DDR past, he has a leftist past and present.
Awkward symbolic with the red carpet forming an half an arrow…
Video: Merkel welcomes Tsipras
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Then both leaders entered the Chancellery where they will have talks expected to last for about an hour. A joint press-conference will follow, the half-day visit will end with a working dinner.
The visit aims to bridge difference between the two countries and restore the damaged relations. Of course, the Greek debt problem will not be unmentioned.
German government spokesman uploaded a picture of Merkel showing Tsipras around…
Huh? The gap between the two sides could not possibly be bigger! Super-size table!
PS the scenery looks kind of a lot of kitsch, but whatever…
Well, neither one wears a tie; the informality is a good sign 😉 Good luck, Greece. All europeans need it. Your government is fighting a good fight for all of us. As (Groucho) Marx, would say: Lazy people of the world, unite! (talking about that greek restaurant incident, if you can’t beat them, make fun of them).
be nice wenn you wont Money!