European Parliament
Anni Podimata  (S&D ).
(EL)
Mr President, President of the European Council, ladies and gentlemen, I am sure that you do not endorse some of the extreme and problematic statements made by those permanently on a soap box here in the House on the subject of Greece. I do not think that there is any point either in addressing them or in commenting on what they say. However, I do wish to address the rest of the House and to ask them to take time to consider with us where stereotypes, derisory attitudes and statements about a country and an entire nation being severely tested by the crisis will get us. I wish to point out, even though Mr Brok has left, that I do not doubt the intentions of the overwhelming majority of colleagues here; but I do believe that, if we are honest about wanting to help a country to bring its efforts to a close, then we should not insult it because, as another German, Sigmund Gabriel, said: if you make a nation choose between its dignity as a nation and aid, then you are ignoring basic lessons of history.

