Greece is a pillar of stability and always acts in accordance with the principles of international law and good neighborliness, added the President of the Republic
“It is sad that our country is still faced with an officially stated threat of war from its neighbor and daily aggression in its sea and air space.” said the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulouduring an official visit to Lithuania.
Ms. Sakellaropoulou is paying an official visit to the Republic of Lithuania, at the invitation of the President of the country, Gitanas Nausėda. After the official reception, the two presidents had a private meeting and followed by extended talks of the delegations at the Presidential Palace.
During the joint press conference, Ms. Sakellaropoulou stated the following:
“Thank you, Mr. President, for your invitation to visit your country, on the occasion, in fact, of the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between Greece and Lithuania. A historic visit, as for the first time since the establishment of our Embassy in Vilnius, a Greek President is visiting Lithuania. Especially in recent years, there is a significant dynamic in the level of contacts between our countries, a fact that seals my presence here.
By President Nausėda we had a very constructive discussion, on issues of bilateral and regional interest.
Among them, of course, the Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine, which unfortunately continues with undiminished intensity. From the very beginning, Greece has stood by Ukraine, offering defense equipment, carrying out multiple humanitarian aid missions and welcoming Ukrainian refugees. In addition, despite the significant negative impact on our economy, we fully support and implement all the sanctions imposed by the European Union on aggression against Russia.
It is a critical moment for the region and for our partners, who we need by our side. The decision of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership shows that the Russian invasion, which in Moscow took place to prevent further enlargement of NATO, leads to the opposite of the intended results.
The same need for practical defense of international legitimacy in Ukraine from expansionist aspirations and revisionist narratives exists in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which, unfortunately, has not ceased to be a theater of escalating tension due to delinquent behavior of Turkey.
It is unfortunate that our country is still faced with an officially threatened threat of war from its neighbor and daily aggression in its maritime and airspace. Greece is a pillar of stability and always acts in accordance with the principles of international law and good neighborliness. However, it will not stop defending its sovereignty and rights, taking all necessary deterrent measures for its security, but also for peace in our wider region.
Accordingly, I pointed out that, just like the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Cyprus issue It is also an international issue of illegal invasion and occupation of the territories of a sovereign European member state of the European Union, such as the Republic of Cyprus. I therefore stressed our reasonable expectation and demand that the international community show for Cyprus and its people the same sensitivity and solidarity that we show, steadily, for Ukraine.
We also had the opportunity to discuss developments in the immigration / refugee issue, with particular emphasis on the effective management of migration flows and the need for effective protection of the EU’s external borders, of which our own are part.
Greece has borne a disproportionate burden in recent years immigration and refugee flows. In this regard, we agreed that it is imperative to adapt the European legal framework to the current reality and that we must strengthen our cooperation in managing the problem and preventing the inhuman instrumentalization of persecuted people.
Regarding our bilateral relations, I underlined the important role of Culture in their formation and expressed our common will to deepen and expand our cooperation. Maintaining and strengthening the teaching of the Greek language in University Institutions of Lithuania is a high priority for us. Promoting the interaction of the Universities of the two countries by enhancing the exchanges of academics and students is a point of our common interest.
Regarding our economic relations, there is always a significant scope for their expansion, in combination with the neighboring markets of Estonia, Latvia and Finland, not only in traditional sectors for our country, such as shipping and tourism, but also in cutting-edge sectors. , such as new technologies and renewable energy sources.
Thanks again President Nausėda for the warm welcome and hospitality, which he reserved for me and the Greek delegation “.
Afterwards, Mrs. Sakellaropoulou laid a wreath at the Monument to the Fallen for the Independence of Lithuania at the Antakalnis Cemetery.
Shortly afterwards, he went to the Government House, where he had a private meeting with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida onimonytė. Extended talks of the delegations of the two countries followed.
The President of the Republic is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Katsaniotis.
