Kostis Hatzidakis met with German government officials during his visit to Berlin. During his visit, cooperation between the Greek and German governments was agreed upon in the fields of research and technology, as well as agriculture, with Greece utilizing Germany’s best practices. “Greece has transformed from a ‘black sheep’ into a success story!” Hatzidakis noted characteristically.
Hatzidakis from Berlin: Greek economic progress is now recognized everywhere
Specifically, the deputy prime minister, Kostis Hatzidakis stated: “Greece has transformed from a ‘black sheep’ into a success story! The progress of the Greek economy is now recognized everywhere. Governments and investors see Greece as a country of stability, reliability and prospects, which has left behind the era of crisis and uncertainty. In the meetings I had in Berlin, the intense interest in the course of the Greek economy, the reforms being implemented, as well as the significant investment opportunities that have been created, was confirmed. The government will continue with consistency the same policy that combines fiscal responsibility with reforms and development, so that Greece rises even higher and citizens see more and more benefits of this progress in their daily lives.”
Who he met with in Berlin
During his visit to the German capital, Hatzidakis met with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, where the common understanding of the two countries on migration issues was confirmed, as well as their bilateral cooperation on the same issues. The Greek Deputy Prime Minister noted in this meeting that Greece will implement the new European Union Migration Pact on June 12.
Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister met with Research and Technology Minister Dorothy Bär. During this meeting, Hatzidakis proposed and it was agreed to establish cooperation between the two governments, which will contribute to the adoption by Greece of practices applied in Germany that can upgrade research and promote its connection with businesses.
Furthermore, Kostis Hatzidakis had a meeting with Agriculture and Food Minister Alois Rainer, during which it was agreed to establish a joint working group to promote ideas that will strengthen the competitiveness and exports of the Greek agricultural sector.
Given that a last-minute obstacle arose due to the illness of Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche, the Deputy Prime Minister met with Deputy Economy Minister Dr. Thomas Steffen. The meeting discussed the significant progress the Greek economy has made in recent years, prospects for further strengthening German investments in Greece, as well as increasing Greek exports to Germany. For his part, the German Deputy Minister pointed out that Germany has lessons to learn from Greece’s economic recovery path and the reforms implemented in recent years.
Additionally, Kostis Hatzidakis met with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament and former federal chancellor candidate Armin Laschet. During the meeting, international and European developments, challenges for security and stability in the wider region, as well as prospects for further strengthening Greek-German relations were discussed.
The Deputy Prime Minister also visited the German Parliament. On the sidelines of his visit to the Bundestag, Kostis Hatzidakis had a brief conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with the Head of the German Chancellery Thorsten Frei, as well as with the Secretary of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group Jens Spahn. He also had a working lunch with German MPs from the CDU and CSU Parliamentary Groups. Finally, during his stay in Berlin, Kostis Hatzidakis had meetings with leading figures from German companies and institutes. It is recalled that the visit was organized following an invitation from the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
