Van Rompuy’s speech: "Greece and Europe: building a better future in difficult times"
12 April 2011
Speaking in Athens, the President of the European Council expressed his confidence, based on his experience as former Prime Minister in a debt-stricken country, that Greece would emerge stronger from the current difficulties.
"My message today to the Greek people is simple and straightforward: the reforms that are being implemented by this Government are necessary to make Greece more competitive, more modern and better able to grow faster and create more jobs. It may take time -- like Ulysses going home --, but you will get there."
President Van Rompuy also underlined the balance in the European Union between solidarity and individual responsibility in safeguarding the common European good, be it the single currency, the internal market or a common border.