Athens , 4 March 2010

Mr. Droutsas: Of course I can understand it, but I think that every German citizen can also understand that Greek people worry about their future too, about the future of their country and that they have the willingness to take the necessary measures and implement them. This is the climate in Greece at the moment. And of course it is not easy for Greek citizens to accept these truly tough measures easily. But I believe that the majority of Greek people have an understanding for these measures.

Journalist: But we saw pensioners and students protest, and civil servants have announced strike action, with strikes already being held. Does your government have the strength to implement these tough measures?

Mr. Droutsas: We have to find that strength and we are counting on our fellow citizens’ understanding to a great extent. These are difficult times, and the measures are very tough on Greek citizens, but unfortunately each of these measures is necessary and we hope that, through dialogue, we will be able to awaken the understanding of our fellow Greeks. We are also trying to connect these measures with a message of hope and vision for the future of Greece. Because the measures we are taking today are the foundations for tomorrow’s Greece, which we want to build; united.

Journalist: Prime Minister Papandreou said this week that Greece is in a state of war. How tragic is the situation in reality, and what lies ahead?

Mr. Droutsas: It true that Greece is going through tough times. But Greece and the Greek economy are also being attacked by international financial markets and speculators.  It is not easy, and I have to say that sometimes international media reports are too critical or adopt the wrong tones with reference to Greece. All this, of course, has stirred up certain reactions in Greece and by the Greek public, and these should be addressed carefully.

Journalist: Mr. Droutsas, you are preparing the meeting between Prime Minister Papandreou and Chancellor Merkel, what do you expect from the Chancellor?

Mr. Droutsas: We expect a strong and clear message from Germany and all our partners within the EU that they support Greece, the Greek government, i.e., a message of complete faith. I think that the new Greek government under Prime Minister George Papandreou has addressed this problem in a serious and systematic manner from the first moment it took office, four months ago. And I stress that we presented a serious and well thought-out program, followed by the announcement of new measures yesterday.  As you know, these are tough measures, a convincing proof of this government’s reliability, of Greece’s reliability. What we expect from our EU partners – and Germany, in particular, because Germany’s voice is of particular importance – is a clear expression of solidarity and faith vis-à-vis Greece and the Greek government, as well as the announced measures to put our finances back on track.

Journalist: Are you satisfied by statements of solidarity or are you asking Chancellor Merkel for a couple of billion euros?

Mr. Droutsas: Once again, I have to stress that Greece and the Greek government have never asked or pleaded for financial aid with their EU partners or Germany. We hold the view that we should tackle this crisis on our own. I think that the serious and systematic manner with which we address the crisis, coupled with the measures we have announced, prove how serious we are. We want to, and we can, make it on our own. But what we need is a truly strong expression of solidarity. On the other hand, the European Union – our EU partners – should think about the way in which we can avoid similar situations in future and the way in which assistance can be given to all European partners, not just Greece.

Journalist: German politicians expressed the view that Greece should sell state property, for example some islands. What is your view on these proposals?

Mr. Droutsas:  I have myself heard the proposal that Greece should sell the Acropolis even! I think that at present, we should focus our attention on the fact that Greece and the Greek government have submitted a really serious austerity programme. We should concentrate on implementing this programme fully, and I think that proposals of that ilk do not suit the current juncture. What we need is an expression of solidarity from all our partners within the European Union.