“THE Hellas is in line with the side of peace, cooperation, international law. At the same time, it has the determination, the wisdom and the firepower to respond to any threat “, points out the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Barvitsiotis in an interview with the newspaper “POLITICAL”.
On the occasion of the recent challenge to the sovereignty of the islands of the eastern Aegean by Turkey, speaks of “provocative, irrational and unhistorical allegations” and sends the message that “our islands are not threatened, on the contrary they are threatened” and that “something that is threatened cannot be demilitarized”. He recalled that the challenge to Turkey “met with the loud disapproval of our allies and partners, the US and the EU, but also of the United Kingdom.”
According to the deputy minister, “the upgrade of the country’s defense power and our diplomatic mobility at all levels have caused irritation in Turkey.”
Regarding the issue of immigration, Mr. Varvitsiotis points out that Greece has managed to reduce flows by 90% and decongest the islands.
“As a country, we have put on the European table of dialogue the need to create a strong framework of sanctions against anyone who attempts to blackmail Europe through the instrumentalization of people. “And this is a strong message that the EU must send to those who seek its security and cohesion.”
Regarding the attitude of SYRIZA in its contracts Rafale and of Belharrastresses that it is behaving “inexplicably politically” and “dangerously nationally” and that in the face of the ever-increasing Turkish threat, the main opposition party chooses to be “absent” from the national coalition. “The national front requires unity, solidarity and solidarity,” he notes.
In his interview, Mr. Varvitsiotis, on the occasion of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, stressed that the EU must strengthen its leading role in major geopolitical issues and move decisively towards achieving the strategy of autonomy.
“Greece knows what its position is in the international system and has made the essential choice to talk to everyone,” he said. “We are a strategic ally with the United States, and in the context of an upgraded relationship and a member of NATO and the EU. At the same time, we have open channels with Russia, and this can be seen from yesterday’s meeting of Foreign Ministers Dendia-Lavrov in Moscow”.
“In Brussels, we reaffirmed our absolute unity, our support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and our determination to respond in a coordinated manner and in consultation with our Euro-Atlantic allies in the event of a Russian invasion of Russia,” he said. .
“This is a crisis that is unfolding in the backyard of Europe and is an occasion to think more broadly about the role of Europe in major geopolitical issues,” said Mr. Varvitsiotis. “The EU must strengthen its leading role. “This will happen if we move decisively towards achieving the strategy of autonomy, an issue that Greece has put at the center of the Dialogue for the Future of Europe and is high on the agenda of the French Presidency.”
Regarding the increase in energy prices, Mr. Varvitsiotis states that “the government has gone ahead and will continue to support the socially vulnerable and those affected by the accuracy, without endangering the fiscal balance of the country.”
“At European level now, our position is that Europe can not go back to fiscal rules that corresponded to another era and that in the current context would be a fiscal vise. Because today the conditions are different. And that is something that should be of concern to us in the debate on the revision of the Stability Pact. “
Referring to his recent visit to Kastellorizo and Ro, he points out that the event there “sent a series of resounding messages to both Europe and Turkey.”
“As far as Europe is concerned, we have sent the message that Brussels must listen to the voice of the islanders and that they need European policies to strengthen insularity, especially in the islands.”
“At the same time, we sent a clear message of respect for international law, respect for borders and the principles of good neighborliness. “I think that it was understood by everyone that there, at the end of the country, the heart beats loudly not only of Greece but also of Europe”, he concludes.
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