The Greek proposal for a European vaccination certificate, Greek-French relations, President Macron’s visit to Athens to celebrate the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution of 1821, and the EU-Turkish relations ahead of the European Council meeting were the focus of the talks the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, held with the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, and members of the French National Assembly and Senate, in the context of his two-day visit to Paris.
In a statement on ERT, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted, with reference to the European coordination on the pandemic response, that it is important to accelerate the pace of vaccinations in the EU and he said that the European vaccination certificate (Digital Green Certificate), which was presented by the European Commission today, will facilitate travel from country to country and will be the tool for opening up tourism. Asked whether there was an agreement on the Digital Green Certificate, despite France’s initial concerns, he underscored that “we have succeeded in finding common ground”, adding that Greece’s goal is to start welcoming the first tourists in May.
Regarding Greek-French relations, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that “we are united with France by historical and strategic ties. The slogan that has existed since the 1970s and still holds true today is very strong: Greece, France, Alliance”. He also underscored the importance of President Macron's upcoming visit to Athens in celebration of the bicentennial of the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821, while Greece and France will be at the same table at the European Council meeting on EU-Turkey relations on 25 and 26 March.
Earlier today, Mr. Varvitsiotis met with the Chair of the French National Assembly’s European Affairs Committee, Sabine Thillaye, at the Palais Bourbon, where, among other issues, they discussed the European developments and the role of national parliaments in exercising European policy.
Before departing for Athens, the Alternate Minister had the opportunity to hold a working meeting with the head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Tara Varma, in the framework of the strategy for openness and the promotion of Greek strategic positions at think tanks.
March 17, 2021