Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Monday afternoon with Alexis Tsipras, the Prime Minister of Greece. Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, was also present at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to Iran’s outstanding cultural and civilizational bond with Greece, saying: “This trip can be a good start for increasing trade exchanges and long-term cooperation between the two countries.”
Pointing to the statements of the Prime Minister of Greece about contradictory outlooks and interests in Europe, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “The criticism that unlike the past, the Europeans have no independent willpower in the face of America is legitimate and therefore, the Europeans should remedy this shortcoming.”
Commenting on the statements of the Prime Minister of Greece about the issue of Syria, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: “Terrorism is a contagious and very dangerous disease that can be controlled if everyone confronts it seriously. But unfortunately, some people help terrorists either directly or indirectly.”
His Eminence referred to the common points and similar policies of Iran and Greece and stated: “You and your administration have an independent policy and outlook. We hope that you can overcome economic problems and that this trip can prepare the ground for furthering the interests of both countries.”
Addressing the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Alexis Tsipras said: “You are the leader of a great and honorable people who have played a determining role in history and in defending their ideals and independence.”
The Prime Minister of Greece described his trip to Iran as a sign of joint political determination for increasing cooperation at all levels, reiterating: “This trip will be a turning point in our bilateral relations and it will be in the interests of both countries.”
He pointed to the contradictory outlooks and benefits and the complexities and problems of Europe, saying: “The economies of European countries have become dependent on one another and bringing about a change in them is very difficult. In order to rectify this situation, the power constellation should change in the European Union.”
Tsipras touched on the issue of Syria, saying: “We hope that we will be witness to positive developments on the issue of Syria because this is a crisis that has human dimensions, as a result of which hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their houses and migrate to other countries – including Greece – because of terrorist attacks.”
