Tsipras welcomes Merkel in Athens: "We are entering a new age"

Germany and Greece want to pull together after the serious distortions in the debt crisis in the fight against nationalism and for a solidary EU refugee policy together. They have learned to "work well together, even if we have very different positions in terms of content," said Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens. This was only successful because they trusted each other and made things clear, "but always with the aim of finding a solution".

The talks between the two were mainly about:

• the improved German-Greek relationship
• compliance with the refugee pact between the EU and Turkey
• the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia.

SIMELA PANTZARTZI / EPA-EFE / REX

Merkel in Greece

Tsipras had received Merkel with kisses on the left, kisses on the right. "Today you are entering a completely different Greece that is growing," he said. Greece is "part of the solutions and not the problem". The earlier tensions have been overcome (read more here).

The Greek Prime Minister emphasized the relationship between the two countries: "The stereotypes of the lazy Greek and the strict German are over." He added: "We are entering a new era, and cooperation between Berlin and Athens will be crucial in the coming years." Tsipras briefly addressed the Greek demand for German reparations for destruction during World War II. This topic is open to Athens.

Although the days are over when Merkel was vilified by angry demonstrators, such as on posters with a Hitler's beard, as in 2012, the government did not take any chances on the Chancellor's first visit since 2014. The central Syntagma Square was closed for demonstrations. On the sidelines of the visit, police deployed tear gas to around 700 leftist demonstrators. But the situation calmed down quickly, reporters reported. In 2012 there were still 35,000 anti-Merkel protesters in front of the Parliament in Athens.

Chancellor #Merkel after the conversation with @tsipras_eu: The people in Greece have gone through a very, very difficult time. I am glad that the situation has fallen today and unemployment has fallen. pic.twitter.com/sIfS70qhNm

In view of the sometimes dramatic situation in the refugee camps on the islands in the Aegean Sea, Merkel demanded that Tsipras make even greater efforts to repatriate refugees to Turkey. Tsipras called on Europeans to resist the populist forces that wanted to throw the EU back into "dark times."

The Chancellor demanded a consistent implementation of the 2016 EU-Turkey Refugee Pact of Greece. "The situation on the islands is still very, very challenging." The repatriation of refugees to Turkey is still insufficient. They want to work on "that this part of the agreement can be implemented even better." Germany is ready to help improve the situation on the islands.

Merkel praises Tsipras attitude in Macedonia question

The Chancellor called on Greek politics to approve of Athens' agreement with Skopje to overcome the name dispute with Macedonia. "I'm not interfering with the country's internal affairs," she said at the same time. Overcoming the dispute will benefit all sides. Skopje and Athens had agreed in June that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia would rename itself North Macedonia. Athens would then no longer block the accession of its northern neighbor to NATO and henceforth to the EU. Merkel praised the determined attitude of the Greek Prime Minister.

Further plans of the Chancellor in Greece

Friday is a breakfast with Greek representatives from culture, science and business on Merkel's program. Afterwards, she participates in a discussion with pupils about the future of Europe at the German School in Athens.

At the tomb of the unknown soldier in Athens, the chancellor wants to lay a wreath. She also meets Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the conservative party Nea Dimokratia. She has lunch with Greek business representatives.