In a full-length interview, the former chairman of the commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaks exclusively on ERT’s camera for his role in the difficult time of the memoranda, when he fought, as he says, not for Greece to leave the eurozone.

“Greece has found its way again and is doing well, thanks to the efforts of its governments and citizens,” he said.

He referred to the energy crisis that found Europe unprepared, but also to the veto exercised by Turkey in the application of Sweden and Finland to join NATO.

“You have a difficult neighbor,” he said, referring to Turkey and its provocative stance toward Greece. “Turkey is a special case and the European Union must stand by Greece,” he said.

An advocate of Greece at the critical time of the memoranda, as president of the Commission, he resisted, as he says, the pressures of the powerful Europeans, to eliminate Greece from the eurozone.

As stated by Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of the Commission: “Greece is an old nation and since Greece joined the European Union it is doing well. I have always been in favor of joining and maintaining it in the eurozone, because some – a few – wanted to exclude Greece from the eurozone. “I was strongly opposed to this because it would mean that the eurozone would disintegrate.”

During his presidency, as he says, he was vigilant, convinced that our country can solve its fiscal problems within the Eurozone and drew strength from the bravery of the Greeks.

The former president also stated that: “Thanks to the enormous efforts of the Greek people who showed courage and even more, Greece is still here and is happy to be (part of the European Union). Happy for them. Happy for us. I think Greece is doing well. I do not want to interfere in its domestic policy, but looking at the evidence that you can easily see that Greece is recovering dynamically. “

To the question: “Did the energy crisis find Europe unprepared? “What must be done to give Europe a common line in dealing with this crisis?” Jean-Claude Juncker replied: “I do not think the European Union was well prepared for the energy crisis, but steps have been taken to find the European Union in a situation where it is not completely dependent on Russian gas imports. That’s extremely important. “

-How important is the role of Greece for the energy self-sufficiency of Europe?

Jean-Claude Juncker“Greece’s role is always very important, in contrast to the energy crisis. “The European Union needs Greece as Greece needs the EU.”

He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was not the answer. At least, not for the time being. I do not understand Turkey’s reluctance to join Sweden and Finland in NATO. “She is not prudent.”

-What should be the attitude of Europe towards the Turkish provocation towards Greece?

Jean-Claude Juncker: “Greece must know that we stand by it. you have a difficult neighbor. Turkey is a very special “case” and the EU – with Greece being a member of the EU “It must stand by Greece.”

Jean-Claude Juncker was named an honorary member of the Academy of Athens, an extremely honorable distinction, as he said, since his love for Greece was known.

THE Antonis Regkakos, the President of the Academy of Athens, stated: “The Academy today welcomes the distinguished European politician, Jean-Claude Juncker, whom he expressed about a year ago as its honorary member”, with the former President of the Commission, emphasizing: “I do not have an objective relationship with Greece because I am in love with Greece. “Love does not make sense.”

Interview: Sonia Fili