By Yannis Anifantis

The assurance that “there was absolutely no retreat” in the Kasso episode was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, from the floor of the Parliament, clarifying that permission was never requested from Turkey.

Answering a topical question, the Minister emphasized that: “There was a planning of the Italian ship in the context of the investigations that are conducted not only within territorial waters but also in the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone. This research program has been completely completed. There was absolutely no retreat. The Italian ship conducted its investigation and in fact conducted it for much longer hours than originally planned in the exclusive economic zone of Greece.”

“Permission was never asked, permission could never be asked. There has never been any recognition of Turkey’s sovereign rights in that region and this would never have been possible”, repeated Mr. Gerapetritis, adding that Greece will continue its path strong and autonomous “and with a strong self-confidence it will march on the international stage”.

“The fact that the Greek government has chosen to maintain channels of communication so that the tensions of the past are not produced, this does not mean that there has been any concession and neither will there ever be”, pointed out Mr. Gerapetritis.