Greek PM and German FM express concern over referendum outcome in Italy

In the wake of the Italian referendum on its constitutional reform, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and visiting German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern on Monday over the course of the European Union (EU).

The results of Sunday's presidential elections in Austria and the Italian referendum were added to the agenda of Steinmeier's talks with the Greek leader, next to the progress of efforts to address the Greek debt crisis, the refugee crisis, the Cyprus issue and other bilateral and regional issues.

Both officials welcomed the outcome in Austria, but voiced concern over the Italian people's resounding "No" vote on a package of constitutional reforms.

"It was a Sunday with mixed impressions...We may be happy about the fact that Austrian voters did not choose the candidate of the populist forces, but we are following with concern the result in Italy," Steinmeier said on camera at the start of the meeting with Tsipras.

"I think that Renzi did what was right and necessary, but voters made a different choice...It is not a positive message sent to Europe in this difficult period," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Tsipras urged for countries across the continent to tackle the rise of populism and the extreme Right.

"Europe is at a very difficult turning point...We all need to realize that the great threat is the rise of the extreme Right and populism. We also need to realize that Europe cannot move ahead based only on punishing policies, without implementing policies for social cohesion and solidarity," Tsipras said.

Regarding the Greek debt crisis, as finance ministers of eurozone member states were convening in Brussels to discuss the steps ahead, Steinmeier acknowledged the difficulties Greek people had been facing as a result of the economic crisis and the refugee crisis in recent years.

Tsipras called for more support to be provided to Athens immediately. Following the conclusion of the second review of the third Greek bailout, Greece is requesting concrete decisions of debt relief in December to support the economy's return to growth.

"The Greek people have made sacrifices in the name of Europe. I think it is time for Europe to turn its attention to Greece and show its solidarity," the Greek prime minister stressed. Endit