The Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann will be in Athens on Tuesday, after having accepted an invitation extended to him by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras earlier in June. Mr. Faymann has repeatedly underlined the need for a long-term solution to the Greek financial problem.
According to the Austrian Chancellor, his trip to Greece is not a “red carpet visit”, but rather it is so that he may form an impression of the situation in Greece. To this end the Austrian Chancellor will visit schools, hospitals and businesses, as well as speak with Austrian entrepreneurs operating in Greece.
Earlier in the year, in February, the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had been invited to Austria and received a warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. Mr. Tsipras had commented that he found a “good friend” in the Austrian Chancellor, who has adopted a different stance towards Greece, compared to other European leaders.
