The three officials agreed on the need to reinforce the European forces of Frontex, so that Europe can control the activities on the Turkish side. “We do not want Europe to turn into a fortress, but the unhindered action of smugglers is making the lives of refugees and local populations much harder, urging them to handle an issue that is above them,” agreed Mr Verhofstadt, Mr Kaminis and Mr Theodorakis.
Stavros Theodorakis met yesterday Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE Party). The two officials talked about the explosion of the migration flow, the tragic events reported lately in the Aegean Sea and the reforms that need to be implemented in Greece, so that the country can get back to the growth path and tackle unemployment. To Potami MPs Miltos Kyrkos and Giorgos Grammatikakis, members of To Potami Dimitris Tsiodras and Athina Dretta, Giannis Meimaroglou, member of the Dialogue Committee and Odine Linardatou, International Relations Director attended this meeting.
Mr Verhofstadt stated that there is no European plan that will get the Greek economy to the recovery path, pointing out that institutions and the Greek government approach the Greek financial crisis in an audit-oriented way, thus leading it to dead-end. ALDE leader said that it would be useful if the Financial Committee of the European Parliament could receive reports, in order to stay up to date and, actually, supervise the action of Institutions, as well as the actions of Greek Ministers, as far as reforms are concerned. Besides, according to Mr Verhofstadt this is what the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also wishes.
Stavros Theodorakis referred to the major changes that need to be implemented in the country, in Public Administration, investments, growth, agricultural production, education. Yet, the leader of Potami stressed that “the government has closed its eyes and all it cares about is settling its own people”.
Guy Verhofstadt expressed his consent on the possibility of holding a Summit on Migration. The event is to take place in Thessaloniki, with the participation of European institutions, leaders involved in the issue and, of course, Turkey. Holding this Summit is a proposal made by Potami. The leader of Potami pointed out that “This is not a matter between Greece, Turkey and Germany”. Guy Verhofstadt agreed, adding that the mishandling of the migration flow has generated a major issue in the European Union, has awaken the conservative reflex of people and delayed the unification procedures in Europe.
The Mayor of Athens Giorgos Kaminis attended the meeting and joined the discussion on the refugee issue. Mr Kaminis referred to the problems that his Municipality deals with, in its effort to help refugees, who are reaching, day after day, the city of Athens. He urged Europe to get more involved in the effort to tackle this issue. “We cannot do it on our own, no one can,” said Mr Kaminis, saying that he is in touch with Mayors of other European cities, in an effort to coordinate their action.
The three officials agreed on the need to reinforce the European forces of Frontex, so that Europe can control the activities on the Turkish side. “We do not want Europe to turn into a fortress, but the unhindered action of smugglers is making the lives of refugees and local populations much harder, urging them to handle an issue that is above them,” agreed Mr Verhofstadt, Mr Kaminis and Mr Theodorakis.
