The government in Athens and the Greek people should have no qualms about meeting up with any interlocutor and, similarly, no foreign leader should have reservations about visiting the country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected in Athens on Tuesday. We can be sure that the president of the republic, the prime minister and other officials will say what they have to say. Those among the public who want to demonstrate against the German leader’s presence will do so.

Greece belongs to the European club and has to make sure things stay this way. Any acts of violence and colorful exaggerations by populist, TV-savvy politicians will do nothing to help the scores of unemployed and pensioners; they will simply undermine the country’s efforts to stay afloat.

Straight talk, peaceful demonstrations and tough negotiations by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and other government officials are a safer bet.

Tuesday’s visit is crucial and historic. We should treat it that way.