German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his “great respect” for Greece, both for the heavy burden placed upon it during the crisis and for the actions taken by the new government on migration and to speed up the pace of reforms.
The German minister made the statement in a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, after their meeting in Berlin.
"🇬🇷 is the first country of arrival for many refugees and migrants and 🇩🇪 is the first country of destination. Both countries are committed to the 🇪🇺 – 🇹🇷 agreement and will honour our obligations." pic.twitter.com/glbHXPSl2Y
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) September 16, 2019
“In the EU, we are pulling in the same direction because we share many convictions. The pace of reform demonstrated by the new Greek Government is promising.” FM @HeikoMaas meets the 🇬🇷 FM @NikosDendias in Berlin. pic.twitter.com/1OSiewde6X
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) September 16, 2019
Maas asked for the implementation of the EU-Turkey Joint Statement on migration and criticized Ankara’s actions in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He called for a de-escalation of tension and the resumption of talks on the Cyprus issue.
Dendias called Germany’s stance on migration “constructive” and expressed support for a comprehensive approach by the European Union, with emphasis on both respecting human rights and solidarity for the countries that bear the brunt of the problem.
He noted that Turkey’s actions do not help in reducing tensions and referred specifically to Ankara’s announced intention to open the fenced-off town of Famagusta. “Such statements rather exacerbate the situation and do not help in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue,” Dendias said.
Από τη συνάντησή μου με τον Πρόεδρο της Ομοσπονδιακής Βουλής της Γερμανίας W. Schäuble στο Βερολίνο. pic.twitter.com/Ea3pnnUJDc
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) September 16, 2019
On Monday evening, Dendias was received by the Bundestag President Wolfgang Schaeuble, while earlier he had a meeting with the heads of the German Society for Foreign Policy and the Science and Policy Foundation.
