From a meeting with the chancellor Olaf Soltz today ended the first official visit of the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in Berlin. The central themes of the meeting, during which, according to the Greek Presidency, the excellent level of bilateral relations was confirmed, were Russian invasion of Ukraine, Turkish aggression, war reparations, migratory and European perspective Western Balkans.

Concerning Turkey, the President of the Republic reaffirmed Greece’s unwavering position to O. Soltz, according to which “the only means of resolving interstate disputes is a dialogue based on international law”, and stated that Greece especially appreciates Germany’s position regarding Turkish threats, “which are combined with inflammatory rhetoric unprecedented level.”

With regard to immigration and refugees, Ms. Sakellaropoulou made it clear that it is very important for Greece to deal effectively with this issue “with respect for human rights” and avoid instrumentalizing it.

With the Chancellor of Germany @OlafSholtz we had a constructive discussion on bilateral and European issues. I pointed out that Europe must remain united on the issue 🇺🇦 and emphasized the danger of revisionism and the need to respect international law. pic.twitter.com/wQdpP0NVjD

— GR President (@PresidencyGR) January 20, 2023

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the President stressed the importance of keeping the European Union cohesive “in condemnation of the illegal Russian invasion.” He also expressed Greece’s full support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, emphasizing that this issue should become a priority for the EU.

The President of the Republic also raised with her interlocutor the issue of war reparations and mortgages, emphasizing the importance of the issue for Greece, and outlined the need for an appropriate dialogue between the two countries.

Earlier, Mrs. Sakellaropoulou visited the Jewish Museum in Berlin.

^{Source: APE-MEB}