How do you solve a problem like Greece? Are we about to witness the gruesome end of an all-too-contemporary Greek tragedy? Or is Greece itself a scapegoat — the tip of an economic iceberg with the rest of Europe sinking on a financial Titanic?

The metaphors are certainly easier to find than the solutions these days.

In this edition of I-Talk we have the Greek vice-president of the European Parliament, Anni Podimata.

The first question is from Patrique Veneray from Belgium:

“Greece is undergoing problems right now. It’s said that Greece could live without Europe. I’d like to know what you think about that. Do you really think that Greece could leave Europe?”

euronews:

There’s more and more talk, Anni Podimata, about a referendum in Greece. Would the Greeks vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Europe now?

Anni Podimata:

If there were a referendum in Greece there is no doubt that Greeks would vote in favour of Europe. Greeks are very much aware of the depths of the characteristics of the current crisis, but they don’t put into question the irreversible character of our membership at the core of Europe and the euro zone.

euronews:

But there are a lot of demonstrations in the streets and there’s more hardship to come. Isn’t that likely to change? Wouldn’t it be easier to come out.

Anni Podimata:

It’s not easy. It’s a huge task, the one that’s taking place in Greece right now. There are demonstrations, but there is a lot of focus on the demonstrations. We don’t take into consideration enough the fact that there are millions of Greek citizens who are fully aware of the necessity to change things radically.

euronews:

What things should be changed? We hear a lot about the tax system, for example, the corruption of the tax system… what things should be changed?

Anni Podimata:

We have already made very radical changes in the pension system, and the health-care system, in the education system, public administration… and at the same time we have adopted and implemented very radical measures concerning fiscal consolidation of the country. Above all I would say that we need to change mentality (about) several things in my country…. but not only in Greece. In Europe in general I think, we need to make a shift in our mentality regarding the responsibilities and the rights that we have been members of the European Union.

euronews:

The next question comes from Erik, who is Swedish.

“I would like to know what, in your opinion, the EU and the Parliament can do to support Greece in the current crisis.”

Anni Podimata:

The major problem that we face in Greece and in general is a lack of confidence between us, between different European people, and all together against the euro. So yes, the European Parliament can do a lot, and has already done a lot….

euronews:

What?

Anni Podimata:

It can clearly pass a message of solidarity and respect towards Greek people, and understanding towards the big effort that is in place in my country in order to implement those measures.

euronews:

The Germans think that they’re making a huge effort to bail Greece out for its problems in the past. Surely you can understand why it is a financial problem, because the northern countries feel they’re going to have to give more money to prop up Greece’s former errors.

Anni Podimata:

Absolutely. And I have a lot of respect towards people of those countries that are asked to support Greece through loans. Sometimes the impression created abroad is that it’s a kind of donation, the money that’s addressed towards Greece, which is not true. The money is lent to Greece and Greece is paying (it) back with interest.

euronews:

The final question on the financial crisis comes from Evangelia, who comes from Greece originally, but now lives in Brussels.

“Do you think that Greece can continue in a unified Europe, and what will be the future for Greece in Europe. And what will you do so Greece can properly show its future, and advance together?”

Anni Podimata:

What’s most difficult is the feeling that the rest of our partners — or some of them — do not really trust the effort that we are making. They don’t seem to be sure that Greece will make it, that Greece will succeed. And this is an elementary issue, it’s what I was trying to point out before, that Greece and Greek people are going to do what they have to do. What they need above all in the current circumstances is the rest of our european partners to demonstrate confidence towards their efforts, and give them a chance to succeed, not to question them every single day, every single moment. We should not, as citizens, and as politicians, adopt the habits of the markets.

euronews:

Changing themes now with a question from Elisabeth who is a Belgian/Austrian.

“I’d like to know specifically what role women can play in the resolution of the current crisis?

euronews:

Do you think we wouldn’t be in this mess if women were in charge?

Anni Podimata:

I’m sure you’ve heard the slogan that circulated a couple of weeks after the collapse of the global financial crisis — we were talking about the ‘Golden Boys’ — and there were some people, especially women, pointing out that if women were more present in high level positions in the financial sector, most probably the crisis would have been avoided….

euronews:

Well, we have Christine Lagarde now.

Anni Podimata:

….so I think that the crisis, yes, is an opportunity which reminds us of the absolute necessity for gender equality and gender balance. Women had, and have, a lot to contribute to a different, an alternative more balanced, a more equal approach to the way out of the crisis.

euronews:

One last question from Loic, who’s in the sixth year of school in Brussels.

“Could Turkey integrate into the EU and what effect might that have on young people particularly in Europe?”

euronews:

Anni Podimata, you got a journalistic prize for working towards the Greek and Turkish rapprochement, or friendship. How can Europe sort out the cconflict between Turkey and Greece, especially if Turkey’s going to come into the European Union?

Anni Podimata:

Well as you know, there are specific criteria that need to be fulfilled for any country to be a full member of the European Union. I think, and this is my deep conviction, that if Turkey adopts the ‘acquis communautaire’ and fulfills the necessary criteria…..

euronews:

They’re not quite there yet….

Anni Podimata:

….no, but there is an ongoing process, and I’m confident that this process again, related with some confidence on the part of the European Union for example, I don’t very much agree with putting into question the final goal of Turkey’s path towards full membership, because I think that this is something that diminishes the motivation of authorities, and of ordinary people, to implement what they have to implement to fulfill their obligations. We need to respect the fact that any country that fully fulfills the criteria can become a full member of the European Union.

More about: Economic crisis, Financial Crisis, Women’s rights

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