Roesler offers carrot, stick for investments
Government officials said on Friday that talks with visiting German Economy and Technology Minister Philipp Roesler had been very positive, paving the way for much-needed investments in Greece.
A meeting at the Maximos Mansion between Roesler and Prime Minister George Papandreou took place in ?a very good atmosphere,? the prime minister?s office said in a statement, adding that Papandreou had emphasized to his visitor the efforts being made by the government and the maturity being shown by the Greek people in the face of an ongoing austerity drive.
Roesler, for his part, reiterated his confidence in Greece?s ability to exit the current crisis and the interest of Germany in pursuing investments in Greece but he called for the resolution of «outstanding issues between German industry and the Greek state» – an apparent reference to a legal suit by German conglomerate Siemens against the Greek state – noting that this would send a «strong message» to would-be German investors in Greece.
Roesler also met with Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who stressed that Greece was on the right track to becoming an ?investment-friendly? country, a reference to reforms aimed at slashing Greece?s notorious bureaucracy and facilitating procedures for would-be investors. Venizelos repeated too that Roesler «still regards Greece as a member of the eurozone,» following skepticism voiced by the German minister last month about the prospects for Greece.
Roesler, who arrived in Athens on Thursday with dozens of German entrepreneurs also met with Development Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis and Environment Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou.
The 38-year-old German, who is also vice chancellor, stressed that the businesspeople accompanying him were keen to meet with Greek partners. But he stressed that the implementation of reforms remained a prerequisite for German investments in the country. ?I am expecting clear structural changes from the government,? he said.
