Tuesday, 10 March 2020 Issue No: 6026 PM Mitsotakis: Greece and Europe Staikouras meets Regling, asks that migration, can't be blackmailed by anyone coronavirus spending be exempt Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday referred from primary surplus to economic issues and the emerging migration crisis at Greece's eastern borders, while addressing the German- Meeting European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Managing Hellenic Economic Forum in Berlin. He stressed that Director Klaus Regling in Athens on Monday, Finance Mi- nister Christos Staikouras discussed the measures that need Greece and Europe cannot be blackmailed. to be taken to address the economic repercussions from the Regarding the economy, Mitsotakis said that Greece was spread of coronavirus globally and asked that certain cate- truly on a path of growth, adding that the new problems gories of spending be exempted from calculations of are making it accelerate, not slow down reforms. Greece's primary surplus. "The assymetric threat from the east changes the priorities In statements after their meeting at the finance ministry, and the health crisis makes our work more difficult. In the Staikouras said that, in terms of the repercussions of coro- last 10 days we have shown that we can defend our natio- navirus, the data and latest extimates indicate that their nal and European sovereignty. Greece and Europe cannot impact on the European and global economy, while tempo- be blackmailed by anyone," he said. rary, will be more significant and painful that initially esti- The support offered by many European countries is tangi- mated. ble proof of European solidarity, said Mitsotakis. In light of this, the minister said, the situation should be re- evaluated at the Eurogroup meeting next week and specific PM Mitsotakis, Chancellor Merkel initiatives adopted to deal the negative repercussions of the discuss developments in migration issue, virus' spread on growth and public finances. coronavirus epidemic The attempted entry to Greece of a large wave of migrants Greece has 11 new coronavirus cases, from Turkey and the repercussions of the coronavirus in totalling 84 to date public health and the economy were the focus of a meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and German Greece has eleven new coronavirus infections, Health Mi- Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday. nister Vassilis Kikilias and infectious diseases professor At a meeting scheduled after the German-Hellenic Econo- Sotiris Tsiodras said following a government meeting on mic Forum the same day, Mitsotakis updated Merkel on Monday, raising the number of cases to 84. the Turkish actions at the border in Evros region, and Of the current 84 cases, 81 are Greek nationals and the noted the involvement of Turkish authorities in creating rest foreign visitors, they said. Of the total, 56 are part of and continuing the mass violation of European borders at the group that was infected during a trip to the Holy Land: Evros and spreading fake news that heighten the crisis. 47 went on the tour and 9 were people they came in con- Greek government sources also said that Mitsotakis refer- tact with. Of the total 84, 57 are under home restrictions red to images in the media showing a Turkish military and 27 are hospitalized. One of the 27 has a serious case vehicle, funded through EU resources, trying to take down of pneumo-nia and is at the hospital of Rio. the fence protecting Greek and European borders in Evros. 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: EFTYCHIOS PALLIKARIS Tuesday, 10 March 2020 Politics days we have shown that we can defend our national and European sovereignty. Greece and Europe cannot be black- mailed by anyone," he said. PM Mitsotakis, Chancellor Merkel discuss The support offered by many European countries is tangible developments in migration issue, proof of European solidarity, said Mitsotakis. "When we coronavirus epidemic needed our friends, dear Angela (Merkel), they gave us both moral and practical support," he added. BERLIN (ANA-MPA/F. Karaviti) "We are entering a new phase as regards migration. President The attempted entry to Greece of a large wave of migrants from Erdogan will be in Brussels this afternoon and I consider this Turkey and the repercussions of the coronavirus in public development positive. I hope it is the start of a de-escalation of health and the economy were the focus of a meeting between the crisis," Mitsotakis said. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and German Chancellor He pointed out that if the Turkish president wants a review of Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday. the EU-Turkey agreement on migration "which he has, himself, At a meeting scheduled after the German-Hellenic Economic effectively demolished," then he must take the following Forum the same day, Mitsotakis updated Merkel on the Turkish actions: remove the desperate people in Evros and stop actions at the border in Evros region, and noted the spreading fake news and propaganda. involvement of Turkish authorities in creating and continuing Mitsotakis suggested that Erdogan should also examine other the mass violation of European borders at Evros and spreading possible improvements, such as joint patrolling to control the fake news that heighten the crisis. flow of migrants at the Turkish border and pointed out that the Greek government sources also said that Mitsotakis referred to return of those who illegally enter Greece should be possible images in the media showing a Turkish military vehicle, funded from mainland Greece, as well as the islands. Greece has through EU resources, trying to take down the fence protecting always recognised and continues to recognise that Turkey has Greek and European borders in Evros. Chancellor Merkel said played a crucial role in the management of the refugee issue but that the joint EU-Turkey agreement of March 2016 includes this can't be done using threats and blackmail, he added. both the funds Turkey is receiving from Europe and obligations The prime minister then asked for an agreement for the that need to be respected. The issue of the refugee-migration voluntary relocation of children and teenagers from Greece to problem relates to the EU's existence itself, she said. Europe. "I call on the countries to participate in this tangible Both agreed that the time leading up to the EU summit on proof of solidarity," he noted. March 26 should be used constructively to ensure Turkey lowers tension and to discuss improvements to the joint No fatalities from coronavirus so far statement on migration. They also discussed the joint patrolling of the Greek coast guard with Frontex in Greece, and Mitsotakis referred to the spread of coronavirus and Greece's collaboration with the Turkish coast guard, in order to control measures, stating that there have been no fatalities in Greece so migration flows better, and the returns of migrants from the far. Greek islands and the mainland to Turkey. "Today we announced a set of measures for the support of They also discussed the new draft EU budget and the economic activity and working people," he said. repercussions of the coronavirus to public health and the "However, no mass measure can substitute for individual economy, at an EU-level. responsibility. No central decision can bring results if the Both leaders referred to expanding the current Greek-German citizens to not abide by it. We must avoid even shaking hands; economic and trade collaboration into new sectors such as we did this with Chancellor Merkel, we have not quarrelled," green energy, renewable energy sources, pharmaceuticals and he said. agricultural economy. He said that further coordination is required at a European level, adding that a teleconference is being scheduled. "It is PM Mitsotakis: Greece and Europe can't be clear that 2020 will be a different year from what we predicted blackmailed by anyone (ADDS) and that fiscal targets probably will not be met. We must react quickly," the prime minister said. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday referred to economic issues and the emerging migration crisis at Greece's German Chancellor Merkel: Optimism over eastern borders, while addressing the German-Hellenic Erdogan-EU meeting in Brussels on migration Economic Forum in Berlin. He stressed that Greece and Europe issue cannot be blackmailed. Regarding the economy, Mitsotakis said that Greece was truly BERLIN (ANA-MPA/F. Karaviti) on a path of growth, adding that the new problems are making Greece has "assumed a great burden on behalf of all of Europe it accelerate, not slow down reforms. and deserves our full solidarity and support," German "The assymetric threat from the east changes the priorities and Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday on the migration the health crisis makes our work more difficult. In the last 10 2 Tuesday, 10 March 2020 issue, in her keynote address to the German-Hellenic Business such as green energy, pharmaceutical technology and new Forum in Berlin. methods in waste management. The German chancellor also termed Turkey's behavior on the Concerning German tourism in Greece, Mitsotakis noted that migration issue "unacceptable" and said that "despite our "we want to raise the number of 4.5 million Germans who understanding for the great burden Turkey has assumed, by come to Greece as tourists mostly in the summer," and hosting 3.5 million refugees, it cannot expect understanding mentioned winter tourism as one of Greece's merits. "We have when it tries to resolve its own problems by using refugees, beautiful mountains too," he mused. who were led to an impasse at the Greek-Turkish borders." "As Germany is the honored country at the 2020 Thessaloniki She expressed support for the EU-Turkey joint statement but International Fair, we look forward to the presence of said it should be established on a new basis.