Once again, foreign media have turned their attention to Greece in light of the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. Most reports focused on the fact that Tsipras mentioned that “we must understand each other,” while stressing the reconciliation spirit that was expressed from both sides. German magazine Der Spiegel referred to the Greek Prime Minister’s speech, noting that, for the first time, he did not blame Germany for his country’s problems. “Prime Minister Tsipras stressed that both sides need to let go of stereotypes, as neither the Greeks are lazy, nor the Germans responsible for Greece’s problems,” the article wrote. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that both parties showed mutual good will during the meeting, “appealing to Greeks and Germans to set aside recrimination and national stereotypes, and work for a better European future. Yet, despite warm words on the new leftist Premier’s first official visit to Berlin, it was unclear if they had narrowed differences on economic reforms Greece must implement to win urgently needed fresh cash from its creditors.” Bloomberg noted that Merkel urged Tsipras to follow the path set up by his country’s creditors and since Greece belongs in Europe, she wants its economy to succeed. The news agency also noted that the German Chancellor gave no indication that the financial aid package urgently needed in Athens would be unlocked. Instead, at the press conference given by the two leaders in Berlin, she talked about how she wants to build a relationship of trust with the Greek Prime Minister, clarifying that Germany is not the institution that decides on the reforms agenda.
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