The mission of humanitarian aid to Mariupol, which he intends to accompany, was announced by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, after his meeting with the Consul General of Greece in Mariupol, Manoli Androulakiwho returned to Greece on Sunday, after a difficult release operation.
Mr. Dendias also announced the award of Mr. Androulakis, as well as the Ambassador Frangiskos Kostelenos and the Consul General of Greece in Odessa Dimitris Dohtsis.
“After consultation with the prime minister, I will propose their award, which will take place in due course,” the minister said.
“I am asking for a mission today official note on the Ukrainian side to facilitate and on the Russian side with another note not to hinder the sending of humanitarian aid to Mariupol. “I intend to accompany this assistance in person, in coordination with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Mauer, with whom we are already in contact”, noted Mr. Dendias.
“Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine continues unabated. “The priority of the Greek government is the protection of our expatriates, but also of the civilian population,” he said.
For this, he also announced that one will be created coordination and reception team in Bucharestwhich will be headed by Mr. Kostelenos and will be attended by the Ambassador in Bucharest Sofia Grammata, Mr. Dohtsis and Mr. Androulakis, who will leave soon.
He also stressed the need to protect the civilian population in his speech at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels yesterday and in his one-on-one meeting with High Representative Josep Borrell, from whom he asked to make public statements. .
“Greece will continue to be present in the region. In an area where the Greek element has been established for centuries “, said Mr. Dendias and stressed that” the first step, when things return to normal, will be the reconstruction of the maternity hospital of Mariupol. “And beyond that, our coordination with the EU to do what we can to return it to its previous state and to facilitate our expatriation to return to normalcy after the tragedy.”
During his meeting with Mr. Androulakis and his father, retired General George Androulakis, the Foreign Minister conveyed the warmest congratulations of the government, the Prime Minister and himself for the way he performed his duties.
“He is the last diplomat to leave Mariupol under extremely adverse conditions. “He honored Greece, the ministry, the diplomatic corps and he deserves warm congratulations”, he stated characteristically.
Also, as he said, warm congratulations are deserved to Mr. Kostelenos and Mr. Dohtsis, who carried out a total of six evacuation operations under the name “Nostos” of Greeks and expatriates from Ukraine, as well as to the general secretary Themistoklis Demiris and the team. under Mr. Kapopoulos for the coordination of evacuation actions and to Mrs. Grammatas.
Mr. Dendias thanked the international organizations that assisted in the operation, the OSCE, the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the Moldovan side.
At the beginning of his meeting with Mr. Androulakis, Mr. Dendias noted that “he made us proud with his behavior and his calmness all this time”, while he underlined that the Greek consul stayed there voluntarily.
“The initial view I expressed was to leave with Mr. Kostelenos. On the contrary, Manolis and Mr. Kostelenos agreed for Manolis to stay and Mr. Kostelenos to return to take others “.
Referring to the decision for his award, he noted that “it is not usual for them to put their lives after their obligation and it is good to spread it as an example to the wider society”.
M. Androulakis: We will try to forget, it will be difficult, but we will continue our work
Mr. Androulakis, on his part, expressed his gratitude for what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did for him and the people who were in Mariupol these days.
“13 years ago, where my father stands, I took the oath of the Greek diplomat, whom I tried to keep and honor,” he noted.
“I asked you to love and support the Foreign Ministry, because its people, silently, but very effectively defend the interests of the country. “They are at the forefront and if this line of diplomacy and dialogue is broken, as is very often the case in history, unfortunately, we all see the results.” “That’s why we would like all your support and a little more resources to do our job better.”
“We will try to forget, it will be difficult, but we will continue our work. “With professionalism, with courage and with the support of all of you”, concluded Mr. Androulakis.
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