By Penelope Galliou
H enhancing security and stability on the European continent will be at its heart Summit of 27 European leaders today in Brussels, with the Greek side focusing on Turkish delinquency calling our partners to take a stand and condemn the behavior of Ankara.
The latest developments regarding him have been included in the agenda of the Summit Russia’s war against Ukraineincluding its implications for the global food security crisis, and will discuss continuing EU support for Ukraine, including economic, military, political and humanitarian assistance.
European leaders are also expected to welcome as candidate countries the Ukraineτη Moldova and Agriculturewhile the official opening of the summit will be preceded by a meeting with the leaders of the Western Balkan countries.
“With the war back in Europe, we have taken unprecedented action, highlighting the geopolitical influence of the EU. Now we need to take further steps to enhance the security and stability of our continent. This will be the focus of our European Council meeting on June 23-24 ” reports o Charles Michel in the letter of invitation to European leaders.
At the same time, the debate in the European Union on abolition of unanimity in foreign policy decisionsin order to be able to respond more quickly to geopolitical developments
“In foreign affairs, we really have to go to qualified majority voting”said the Ursula von der Leyen in view of the European Council Summit, he personally assessed – as he said – that he has reached a firm personal conclusion that the unanimity requirement “is not sustainable”, noting that the speed of developments requires the EU to react just as quickly, a fact which often does not happen precisely because of objections that can be raised by a single Member State. However, the President of the Commission acknowledges that such a major shift in European Union decision-making, even if only in foreign policy, would be difficult to achieve.
Mitsotaki – Draghi meeting
A few hours before he goes to Brussels Greek Prime Minister for more than two hours met with him Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi At a working dinner in the run-up to the EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Council, the two leaders discussed the pan-European challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, especially in energy and food supply, and stressed the need to implement solutions at European level.
According to information, Mr. Draghi informed Kyriakos Mitsotakis for the recent his visit to Kyiv and discussed ways to deal with the effects of the war, including energy prices and the need to break free from Russian fossil fuels. They even agreed to raise the issue of necessity again to set a ceiling on the wholesale price of natural gas.
The European Commission’s recommendation for granting candidate country status in Ukrainebut also the wider prospect of enlargement of the European Union.
The Prime Minister repeated Greece’s support for Ukraine’s European course.
He also stressed the need to send a clear and positive message for the accession perspective and support of the Western Balkans, reiterating the initiative to revitalize the process set out at the recent South East European Cooperation Process Summit in Thessaloniki, where he proposed Western Balkans until 2033.
The prime minister also briefed his Italian counterpart on the latest developments developments in the eastern Mediterranean and for Turkish aggression.
Regarding the LibyaMario Draghi and Kyriakos Mitsotakis examined ways restart of the Civil Procedure and called on all parties involved to refrain from the use of force.
The meeting also reviewed the bilateral relations, which are at an excellent level, highlighted the participation of the two countries in regional schemes such as the MED9 and initiatives such as energy summit of the Southand it was agreed that there is room for further deepening of cooperation between them.
Greek-Turkish at the Summit of 27
The Greek Prime Minister had already announced at the extraordinary Summit in May that he would put in the present Summit the Turkish provocation and delinquencyhaving said then, to Ankara, that “such challenges, such leontarizations can not be tolerated either by Greece or by the European Union” he said characteristically and added: “As long as Turkey insists on its irrational and dead-end strategy, the issue should be discussed again at the June regular meeting and there should be an explicit and clear condemnation of the completely unnecessary and unnecessary Turkish provocation.”
According to Euroactiv and draft conclusions of 27 European leaders are expected to condemn Turkey again for the new escalation against Greece. “The European Council has expressed deep concern over Turkey’s repeated recent actions and statements. Turkey must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU Member States.” referred to in the draft conclusions, according to Euroactiv.
Recalling its previous conclusions and the declaration of 25 March 2021, the European Council “It expects Turkey to fully respect international law, to de-escalate tensions in the interests of regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and to promote good neighborly relations in a sustainable manner.”
Its placement was in a similar climate Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council on the overall spectrum of Turkish delinquency and provocation both rhetorically and in the field. He even underlined the ongoing revisionism of the neighbor, which lately has been expressed both by constant threats and by a direct questioning of the sovereignty of the Greek islands. According to diplomatic sources, the Foreign Minister thanked those who have already condemned these actions, noting that it is appropriate for all Member States to emphasize their commitment to maintaining the inviolability of borders and respect for international treaties, especially in the current context.
However, already at EU institutional level, ie by the Commission or top officials messages of condemnation of Turkish provocation have been sent and recommendations for de-escalation, as well as similar warnings have been made bilaterally during the information marathon conducted by the Greek government and the Prime Minister in order to internationalize the Turkish problem but also to receive the support of partners and allies against the escalating Turkish delinquency.
Action against Turkey is expected to be taken in Brussels and President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadiswhich is preparing to send new letters and take international initiatives on Ankara’s stance.
As Mr. Anastasiadis explained, despite the efforts made, the sanctions, although they had been launched, the sanctions were not imposed in the end.
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