Tsipras: Greece will be fully prepared to deal with refugee crisis in February
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
JERUSALEM (ANA-MPA/ N. Lionakis) – Greece will be fully prepared next month to deal with the refugee flows and it remains to be seen if Europe too will live up to its commitments, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday, during a joint press conference with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
Asked how long Greece can manage the refugee crisis which surpasses its abilities and whose efforts to address the issue have not been recognised, Tsipras said that the same question holds true for Europe adding that Greece has been facing huge pressure on its smaller islands in the northeast Aegean in recent months, which he described as the largest population movement since World War II.
The premier also said Greece has managed to cope with the crisis by showing Europe’s good face, despite the country’s economic problems and difficult adjustments. He noted the country’s significant contribution to the problem stressing that European civilization is shamed by the images of dead children in the Aegean. Tsipras then lashed out against “some bureaucrats in Brussels” who don’t understand Greece’s stance and noted that it is an international reality which has repeatedly documented.
Tsipras also stressed that the solution to the problem depends on cooperation with Turkey and a fair distribution of refugees among European countries. Concluding his remarks on the issue, he said that the blame game has never been effective and that what’s important is to find solutions and distribute the weight caused by the crisis.
During the press conference, both Tsipras and Netanyahu also emphasized cooperation in economy and energy, especially concerning the creation of a gas transport network via LNG terminals in Greece, the construction of pipelines, and the discussion on transporting power through the Euro-Asia Interconnector.
The Greek premier noted his belief that promoting energy cooperation will give both countries and the region the opportunity to develop a plan of cooperation and development that will promote stability and peace. On his side, Netanyahu said Greece is a real friend and that this friendship can develop into a real cooperation for peace, progress and security and noted that today’s intergovernmental meeting helped in that direction.
Earlier, Tsipras and Netanyahu concluded the 2nd Supreme Council of Cooperation between Israel and Greece by signing a joint declaration, as well as a document for cooperation on innovation in the 21st century.
Ministers from the delegations of the two countries also signed a number of agreements in cooperation in the sectors of tourism, public security and civil protection, transports, energy and water and diplomatic training. The two leaders are currently holding a working dinner with both delegations, which will complete the Council meeting.