Athens
, 5 March 2010
Journalist: In Greece, there are mass protests against the announced austerity plans. How long will the government be able to withstand this pressure?
Mr. Droutsas: Greece is going through a tough period. The Greek people, our fellow citizens, know that they are facing difficult times and I think it is natural for there to be discontent, expressed through demonstrations. We want - through dialogue with our fellow citizens - to look forward to the future and be convinced that the majority of our fellow citizens is aware of the situation and understands that these measures might be tough, but that they are needed in order to get us out of this crisis and help us lay the foundations for Greece of the future.
Journalist: Mr. Droutsas, how do you perceive the climate in Germany? Much is being written including some not so serious proposals.
Mr. Droutsas: In my view, proposals such as the ones we heard lately about selling off islands or even the Acropolis are not serious proposals. Allow me to say that even today, part of the German media are aggressive in their reports and articles. This, of course, does not help as it stirs up feelings of anger and rage in every Greek citizen, something which I think is understandable. We want to concentrate on our serious programme, on the measures we have taken and we are working earnestly. We are, of course, listening to every serious proposal. We don't need aggressiveness – if I may put it that way – it does not help, what Greece needs, what the Greek people need at this difficult situation, is full support and a declaration of solidarity from our EU partners and, of course, Germany. I am certain that Germany and the German people will express their solidarity and support to Greece.