Germany’s outgoing ambassador to Greece Dr Peter Schoof praised the Greek people in a farewell speech on Monday, which was attended by the Alternate Finance Minister George Chouliarakis, Alternate Civil Protection Minister Nikos Toskas, New Democracy MPs Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Nikos Dendias, Niki Kerameos, Olga Kefaloyanni and Bank of Greece Governor, Yiannis Stournaras.
"I know many people are facing difficult situations in their personal lives," he told the guests attending the event in his house, where the flags flew half-mast in mourning for the passing of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
Schoof added that he believed in the strength of Greeks which made him optimistic about the Greece’s future.
Schoof said the German Embassy's role in Athens was to operate as a bridge not just between the two governments but between the two societies.
"Today, at the time of my departure, I am confident that the pillars of our relations are stable," he said and described Greece as a country of beauty and hospitality.
Concluding his speech, he said he knows that Greeks want to shape the future of their country within a Europe of growth and solidarity and stressed that Europe is our family.
Schoof will leave from Greece next week after completing his 3,5 tenure as Germany’s ambassador.
