The Foreign Minister briefed the parliamentary parties on the developments and contacts at the NATO Summit
The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked the representatives of the parties to keep the national issues out of the internal political confrontation Nikos Dendias.
“I informed today, in the context of my regular contacts with the parliamentary parties, the parties that participate in the Greek Parliament, on the major issues of foreign policy.
First of all, I informed about the NATO Summit in Madrid, where Greece was represented by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
And I gave the representatives of the parliamentary parties a copy of the Agreement between Finland, Sweden and Turkey. I also had the opportunity to explain to the representatives of the parliamentary parties that this Agreement does not generate super-profits for Turkey, as appears to be the case in a section of Greek public opinion. On the contrary, Turkey did not succeed in this Agreement either in designating the YPG or “FETO” as terrorist organizations. Nor, as it could not happen, the extradition process to be subject to a special regime, other than the European Convention on Extradition.
Regarding the issue of PESCO, the participation [της Τουρκίας] In these programs, Greece and Cyprus have the potential to veto them within the Council of the European Union.
Consequently, what is being said in Greece about the “super profits” and “triumph” of Turkey, I think, does not correspond very well to reality.
Of course, I had the opportunity to discuss all this with both my counterparts from Sweden and Finland, whom I met at the NATO Summit.
There was something else particularly important in Madrid. That the new Strategic Doctrine was adopted and I think it would be worth more attention to it. In this Strategic Doctrine, special reference is made to the values of International Law and the relations of good neighborliness between the countries, but also in general in the context of values and principles, which Greece believes and advocates. And which, if implemented, will solve a very large number of problems in our wider region.
We also had the opportunity to discuss the escalation of Turkish rhetoric and the various violations on the ground. I informed the representatives of the parties about the very clear Greek position. First of all, provocation is not accepted and will be answered. But, beyond that, that Greece is not drifting into a constant escalation. On the contrary, he seeks de-escalation, he believes that the rhetorical outbursts on the other side of the Aegean can not cause anything positive in Greek-Turkish relations. I also made it clear to them that Greece does not intend to follow this constant escalation. On the contrary, it has a constant attitude of seriousness, an attitude dictated by our faith and commitment to International Law and the International Law of the Sea and the International Law of Human Rights.
I would like to conclude, and in view of our entry into the last year of government term, I would like to make a broader request. My request is that national issues be left out of the field of party competition, as has been done to a large extent to date. In other words, to maintain the maturity and unity that brought us here.
Because, I think, it is right to always remember that Hellenism was historically divided over foreign policy issues. And we must remember that this year is 2022, 100 years after the national catastrophe of 1922. A national catastrophe that was largely caused by national division.
We must not forget that we are facing a national threat and we can face this threat if we are united, that is, in unity with each other.
Therefore, based on the instructions I have received from the Prime Minister, this priority of unity and unity of the Greek people, I will continue to serve.
Thanks”.
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