A visit by outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Athens has been finalised for October 29.
The Chancellor had been invited to Greece by Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during the European Union Slovenia summit. Chancellor Merkel accepted the invitation on the spot but there was no date fixed.
On the practical level, the visit is important as Merkel remains a key player in the European Union until a government is formed and a new chancellor steps in for Berlin.
READ MORE: German chancellor, Angela Merkel, due in Athens for farewell visit.
But it is its symbolic significance that is drawing attention in Greece, where Merkel worked with seven successive prime ministers, including Mitsotakis.
Before relinquishing the chancellorship, Merkel has been visiting several other countries. On Saturday, Merkel visited Istanbul and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In a joint press conference, the chancellor stressed the importance of maintaining exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey for the resolution of outstanding differences.
Source: Ekathimerini.
