The country is fully in line with what its partners decide on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said in a briefing to political authors.
He noted that Greece opposes acts that constitute a revision of international law. “We have to support the people of Ukraine in action, we must not distance ourselves, we must equate the perpetrator with the victim,” he said.
Starting his introductory speech, Mr. Economou noted: “Developments in recent days are repositioning reality in Europe and the world in general on multiple levels. We need to adapt quickly to the new data, history has shown that the most adaptable survives “.
Greece closely monitors developments in coordination with its partners, reiterated and added that the country is actively involved in imposing sanctions on Russia.
Mr. Oikonomou noted, referring to the country’s armaments program, that the government read the developments correctly and “we have adapted to what the times call for.”
“Security is the greatest issue, Greece’s defense capability makes it a factor with huge influence both in the Mediterranean and in the wider region,” added Mr. Economou.
Referring to the wave of fuel price increases, he said: “The effort to relieve the citizens from the wave of precision must continue.”
Asked about the first Ukrainian refugees who have started arriving in Greece, Mr. Oikonomou said that these first ones are hosted either by relatives or wherever they wanted.
He added that the government will take all necessary measures to provide the necessary hospitality, adding that there has been a request to the EU to have a mechanism so that each country knows how many refugees it will accept.
Mr. Economou started today’s briefing by expressing the grief of the Prime Minister and the government for the loss of Marietta Giannakou.
The introductory position of Mr. Economos
“I want to start by expressing the grief of the Prime Minister and the Government for the loss of Marietta Giannakou. Marietta Giannakou was a historical member of our Party. With her presence and actions, in the first years of ONED, in our party organizations, in the governments of New Democracy, in her term in the Greek and European Parliament, she stood out for her ethos, her pure political speech, her commitment to reforms and the European orientation of the country. We will remember her with love and admiration for what she offered and achieved, but also with admiration and respect for her bravery in the face of her health adventures. We express our condolences to all her family.
Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is repositioning reality – both in Europe and around the world – on multiple levels. Our world, as we knew it, has changed rapidly over the last two years. And it seems that this continues to happen, to change at a rapid pace. Many of the certainties with which we proceeded after the end of World War II, but also after the end of the Cold War, are questioned. It is therefore necessary to adapt quickly to the new data and to respond to the new environment. Because the history of human civilization has shown that the most adaptable and the most forward-thinking always survive.
Europe, with its rich historical experience, does not rest and shows the necessary moral and political vigor to maintain its cultural acquis. Greece is closely following the developments that took place after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and is actively participating in the decisions of its partners and allies to impose sanctions on Russia and to support the Ukrainian people. These positions were clearly articulated by the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, both at the extraordinary Summit of the European Summit and the Summit of NATO leaders.
At the European Council, the Prime Minister stressed the need for significant sanctions, which will substantially affect the Russian economy, and called for the preparation of actions to address the energy crisis at European level, in order to protect businesses and households. There is no doubt – as the Prime Minister stated – that we are at the beginning of a new era, that the geopolitical turmoil will have economic consequences and that we must be ready for significant turmoil in the energy market.
At the extraordinary meeting of the NATO Summit, the Prime Minister stressed that Russia’s aggressive actions are a blow to European security and stability. He recalled the position of the Greek authorities on respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all countries. He emphasized that the decision was not a signal of a formal antitrust inquiry into world peace, and said that it was even more important now with the crisis over sanctions.
In any case, these developments justify European leaders – including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis – who insisted on the need for a European strategy of autonomy, and in particular the need for Europe to have a strong deterrent. At the same time, they prove that defense is not only an end in itself, but also a national priority. It should be noted that, as at the beginning of the pandemic – so now – the Government saw the developments and read the new environment correctly, proceeding in time to actions that call for the times: That is, in an armaments program to shield Greece in the new geopolitics reality. Now, one after the other, the countries in Europe follow.
The country’s defense shield is not just an end in itself. It was and is a condition of the existence of the Homeland and a condition of survival and prosperity of Hellenism. The historical and geographical background of our region is potentially dangerous. That is why international naiveties and amateurism are destructive and unforgivable. Security, at every level, is the highest priority and the highest priority. And anyway, the defense capability of Greece makes it a factor with a huge influence on the defense architecture of Europe and the Mediterranean.
At the same time, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine on Saturday, in which he expressed the full support of Greece and its readiness to provide assistance to Ukraine in areas that will be requested. Already in this context, our country – responding to the request of Ukraine and in consultation with its allies and partners – yesterday sent defense equipment with 2 C-130s, as well as significant humanitarian aid accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Χαρδαλιάς.
Meanwhile, following instructions from Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, an intense protest took place yesterday at the Russian Ambassador in Athens, over the airstrikes in the villages of Sartana and Bouga, which claimed the lives of 10 Greek expatriates. Disgust was expressed at the unprovoked military attacks and Russia was asked to respect international law and to stop attacks on civilians.
Expressing his intense interest in our expatriates and the Greek citizens who are in Ukraine, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had telephone conversations on Saturday morning with Ambassador Frangiskos Kostellenos, who has been sent to Mariupol, and the Consul General in Odessa. Dohtsi, whom he thanked for the services they offer in these difficult conditions.
To tackle the energy crisis at European level
It is very important for Greek and European consumers that the Summit Council adopted the Prime Minister’s proposal for action in the face of the energy crisis and called on the Commission – as stated in the text of the Conclusions – to present emergency measures as soon as possible. .
In this context it could, among others:
Establish a fund that could be financed by future pollutant inflows to help Member States support households and businesses.
-To coordinate gas purchases from the EU ..
– To have an exception from fiscal rules for the duration of the crisis, for a number of expenditures and energy, possibly also defense.
It is also noted that an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers is being held today at noon – at the initiative of the Minister of Environment and Energy Costas Skrekas, to the French Presidency co-signed by his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts.
Among other things – following the Prime Minister’s proposal – it is proposed to create a European Solidarity Mechanism for the energy crisis, so that the European Union can collectively take emergency measures to address the effects of high price increases on both households and businesses. .
It is clear to Greece that the effort to alleviate consumerism must be continued at every level with increased sensitivity to the precision crises triggered by the war.
For the energy supply of the country
All scenarios – even the most unfavorable – for the adequacy of the country’s gas and electricity supply after the Russian invasion of Ukraine are constantly being examined. From the examination of the data so far it is found that:
-The natural gas supply so far continues without disturbances.
-DEPA Trade, but also the other companies that import natural gas, are in constant contact with their suppliers, in order to ensure more LNG loads.
-The occupancy of the terminal in Revythousa is at very high levels.
-It is possible to increase the amount of natural gas through the TAP pipeline.
PPC lignite plants, in addition to daily mining activity, have significant availability of lignite reserves.
-The water reserves for the operation of the hydroelectric units are satisfactory.
-The five power generation units with natural gas, can also operate with diesel.
Information of the Parliament
I remind you that the Prime Minister will inform the political parties and the Greek people at an extraordinary meeting in the Parliament tomorrow morning. We hope and wish that responsibility and prudence prevail to face all together, on the right side of history, this unprecedented challenge. With prudence and determination, with unity and of course with national confidence.
Russia’s practical revisionism, which President Putin has sought to theoretically base on historical and political facts, is structurally anachronistic. It turns us violently into a murky past of pain and deprivation. In a past of violence and war, in a past of nationalism. The questioning of international Treaties, of International Law, of international borders can not be justified in any way: Neither de jure, nor de facto. If this trend does not stop at birth, we will reap many storms, at every level.
Historical lessons must not and cannot be forgotten in a world that today, in the present, becomes more and more like the past. Greece is neither historically nor politically naive and will not allow anyone in any way to infringe on its rights and interests.
We are and will remain a factor of stability and security. Greece must actively support international law and actively defend those who are wronged. Our stance on any attempt to revise borders and national sovereignty must be clear and unwavering, because it is the only way to consolidate world peace, but also to safeguard our national rights.
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