ΑΝΤΩΝΗ ΣΑΜΑΡΑ, ΠΡΩΘΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ ΚΑΙ SHIMON PERES, ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΚΡΑΤΟΥΣ ΤΟΥ ΙΣΡΑΗΛ ΣΗΜΕΙΑ ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΥ..

ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΠΡΩΘΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΥ

 Τρίτη, 8 Οκτωβρίου 2013

Σημεία Χαιρετισμού του Πρωθυπουργού κ. Αντώνη Σαμαρά

κατά τη συνάντηση του με τον Πρόεδρο του Κράτους του Ισραήλ κ. Shimon Peres

Well being a great leader, you have always been a preacher of optimism and we want to thank you for this. It’s real pleasure to be back here. I want to tell you that on the first point you put we are not going to allow neo-Nazism in the birth-place of Democracy and we are simply going to defend Democracy.

We came here as a “cabinet” basically to have a G2G meeting. I have the pleasure that I’m accompanied by Mr. Venizelos who is the leader of the socialist party, the two together, we have formed a very strong coalition, hoping to carry on the next elections till the end, until Greece finds itself, back to its feet as you said, after going through thick and thin, believe me. The circumstances were difficult but we decided, what I know we’ve also done in the past yourself to go through those difficulties from the very beginning. Hoping that growth will come and already we have tangible proofs that about 75% of our lost competiveness has been gained back through huge sacrifices of the Greek people, we’ve lost more than 25% of our G.D.P. If you are to take into account taxes and inflation the average Greek has lost about 35% of his disposable income and despite this we’ve been clearly on our way turning the ship and I believe that we can share your optimism in the sense that we strongly believe that we can make it.

Already the first signs, small signs, of falling unemployment and some very small growth is taking place. Because the number one problem, Mr. President, is the unbelievable fact that we have reached a 27% of total unemployment in the country and more than 60% among the youth. So, you realize that the one word we use “hope” is the most important one. And only through growth, only through presenting investments to Greece and only through synergies as the one we are wishing to have with Israel is going to help. So, we had a very good and fruitful meeting. We have different areas through which we believe…

Peres: You had a meeting already…

Samaras: We had the meetings on areas of foreign affairs, development, education, culture, maritime marine and, may I specially say, energy, which is something that can also link us together.