Meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris | Statement

First of all we had a very positive and constructive discussion with President Sarkozy on the situation in Northern Africa.

We discussed the decisions that we must take tomorrow, as a European Union, concerning the violence we are seeing in Libya, but also the developments in the wider area of Northern Africa and the Arab world, where Europe needs to play a supportive role in the reconstruction of their economies, but even more so in supporting this democratic transition in a smooth and normal way, something which is of great concern to all of us.

We are neighbours. Greece is a neighbour. And of course it is in Greece’s vital interest to see that there are developments which bring peace and democracy and are for the interests of the peoples of the region.

We also discussed the crucial meeting we have tomorrow in Brussels of the euro zone members. We have, I would say, very similar views with the French government as to what should be done. It is a difficult negotiation, and the negotiations are not over.

I would also like to say that we, the Greek government but also the Greek people, have found the support of both President Sarkozy, the French government, but also the French people, in our efforts and we appreciate the recognition of the difficult sacrifices that the Greek people are making in order to put our house in order.

And this support, this solidarity, is something which we also would like to thank the French people and the French government for.