German Dep. FM on Athens-Berlin relations, eurozone support

German Deputy Foreign Minister Werner Hauer (FDP) estimated that in Germany “the courage and determination necessary for an elected government to pass on to its citizens extremely heavy burdens is being underestimated”.

By contrast, he said Greece has launched a “huge reforms process that entails heightened burdens for each citizen.”

“It’s a decision could be implemented in only a few countries around the world,” he noted, adding that “respect and understanding for Prime Minister George Papandreou’s government should be more obvious to other countries.” Hauer’s comments came on Friday during a Germany-Greece conference on the urgent problem of illegal immigration.

Asked about differing positions by Athens and Berlin regarding a permanent support mechanism for the eurozone, the German official said that “even if some small differences prevail, we all have a major and common goal, which is to preserve the EU and to further develop it … it is our common ground to confront the globalisation”.