Mitsotakis and Soltz: Hamas is a terrorist organization, and the two-state solution is important

Chancellor Olaf Soles highlighted the crisis in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, EU enlargement, migration, energy and climate protection as the main topics in his talks earlier today with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at a press conference. The Chancellery notes with satisfaction the progress achieved on a number of issues.

Mr. Soles reiterated Berlin’s position that “Israel has the right – and obligation – to defend itself, always within the framework of international law” and called for a “temporary cessation of hostilities on humanitarian grounds”, allowing humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip. . He referred to the atrocities committed by Hamas, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and stressed that he still supported the two-state solution in the region.

Referring to Ukraine, he noted that they agreed with Mr. Mitsotakis to continue supporting the country’s defense, while noting that Germany supports the enlargement of the European Union, provided of course that the countries concerned complete the necessary reforms.

Regarding immigration, Mr. Schulz called for the rapid completion of the reform of European asylum legislation and spoke of the need for bilateral and European solutions to deal with secondary migration to Germany.

Energy and climate protection were also on the agenda of the talks.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization. We are agreed on that,” Chancellor Olaf Solz said before his meeting on Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who expressed a different point of view, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Hamas seized power by force. The elderly, children and women are suffering under Hamas (…). Its actions are of raw brutality. It is clear that this is a terrorist organization and we in Germany are dealing with it with all available tools. We have banned its work,” the Chancellor added. .

Our position is clear: Hamas is a terrorist organization and we emphasize this at every opportunity. This was confirmed by Chancellor Olaf Sols during a press conference with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, referring to his upcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday in Berlin.

Mr. Soltz also stressed that Israel has the right to self-defense, that Hamas must be confronted and not given the opportunity to regroup and repeat its attacks, and made clear that Israel is a democratic state committed to human rights. And act accordingly. He concluded, “The accusations against Israel (invoked by Recep Tayyip Erdogan) are ridiculous.”

Main points of Olaf Sulz’s speech

• We discussed the close relations between Greece and Germany
• We talked about the terrorist attack launched by Hamas on Israel and the Gaza Strip
• Israel has the right to defend its lands
• Humanitarian stops
• Hamas continues to hold hostages, including children. Their immediate and unconditional release
• Humanitarian aid in Gaza to residents held by Hamas as a shield
• The two-state solution is the most important possibility
• As for Ukraine, the Russian invasion and its consequences worry us. It is a brutal war, simply because of the mind of the Russian president. Greece and Germany will support Ukraine defensively as long as necessary.
• Reforms for countries joining the European Union enlargement
• Immigration. Greece is located on the external borders of
• Germany is a target for secondary migration.
• We must take action at the bilateral and European level
• Cooperate more closely in the areas of economy, energy and climate

Key points of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ speech

• The meeting confirms the strength of Greek-German relations
• The same goals for a better future
• I don’t forget that last visit to Berlin in March 2020, before the Corona virus.
• Greece has a growing economy, increasing imports and supporting citizens’ disposable income.
• A historical record of the number of tourist arrivals
• Public debt is shrinking
• Greece has the fastest position in reducing public debt worldwide
• Political stability in Greece In this new chapter several pages of our bilateral cooperation are written
• Germany is the third largest customer and will be the respected country in the next TIF
• Stable Bridge is the vibrant Greek community that lives and works here
• The geostrategic importance of the green energy corridor
• It is an important step by Russian energy
• Additional resources for migration and climate crisis disasters
• Germany recognizes our efforts to protect our borders and those of Europe
• European aid must be increased
• More than ever, we need a dynamic, two-pronged plan: preventing illegal crossings and managing asylum seekers. This right must be exercised on the basis of the rules of war and international and humanitarian law
• We separate Hamas from the people of Palestine
• We support humanitarian aid, and Greece is ready to play its role.
• There will be no final solution if it is not political, which is the establishment of two states in accordance with the United Nations and international law.
• We support Ukraine
• As European partners, we discussed the Cyprus issue to start talks again
• Greek efforts to return our relations with Türkiye to calmer waters
• To respond with a few words in the language
• Greece is a country on a different path
• Greece and Germany with a closer friendship
• Sounds like a friend in need that I’m sure countries will go after

Questions for Soltz and Mitsotakis

Soltz

For us, Hamas is a terrorist organization. He holds people hostage and seizes power by force. The elderly, children and women suffer there. It is a gross act of barbarism. This is a terrorist organization. This matter is being dealt with in Germany by all means available to us.
We are happy with the good relations between NATO members Greece and Turkey, and of course in the end the two countries must achieve this. After the formation of the new Greek government, relations improved

Mitsotakis

Hamas is a terrorist organization and is condemned by the Greek government
Our disagreement with Erdogan does not mean that we will not invite him to Athens
We seek good relations with Türkiye on the basis of international law and the law of the sea.

Greece has accelerated important steps in granting asylum. The guarding of our external borders has increased. I’m clear. When we grant asylum to someone in Greece, we want them to stay in Greece and make it their only place of residence.

Soltz

The answer has already been given by my counterpart. It is clear that we should not talk for a long time, but rather find immediate solutions to secondary migration. We will do it. For the Western Balkan countries, we should take this step, and integration should follow. We will be able to solve difficult issues.

Mitsotakis

We hardly discussed economic issues, and they are being ignored now that Greece has made great strides forward. Let us see the future from the perspective of the two countries moving forward.
Inflation is a central policy priority for the government to reduce prices and not burden households.

Soltz

To maintain the agreement between the European Union and Turkey. It’s not something we should start. But take into account some parameters. There is also cooperation and support at the Greek border level. We believe the deal received a good response and we will revive this deal. Germany’s position is clear. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Israel must defend itself. The accusations against Israel are ridiculous

Mitsotakis

We seek cooperation with Türkiye on the refugee issue. The European Union has supported it financially and I think in recent months they have taken steps at the bilateral level as well. Our goal is that no boats leave Türkiye and do not endanger human lives. Traders should not decide who enters Europe.
We still have a lot of work to do.
The fence on the Evros River aims to protect not only Greece’s borders, but also European borders.