PASOK’s stance on foreign policy issues was carried out by New Democracy spokesman Alexandra Sedoukou, attributing to the opposition party embarrassment, hypocrisy and dangerous equations.
The reason was Paulina Lampsa’s participation, a member of the PASOK Political Council, in a meeting with the leader of the pseudo -state in the so -called “Presidential Palace” in the occupied territories – which, as the New Democracy points out, was not initially official.
Ms Sedoukou noted that PASOK’s first reaction came only after the highlight of government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, and was limited – as he says – to a “childish explanation” of Mrs Lampsa’s “academic status”.
In detail the announcement by the New Democracy spokesman:
“PASOK does it every day and worse.
Initially, we did not see at least a statement from Harilaou Trikoupis about the presence of Mrs Palina Lampsa, a member of the PASOK Political Council, in a meeting with the leader of the pseudo -state, in the so -called “Presidential Palace” in the occupied territories.
Then, only after the immediate and public labeling of government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis for the provocative lack of any reaction on their part, PASOK was enough in a completely childish explanation, stating that Ms. Lampsa was involved with her “academic”. As if the problem is the property, not the act.
The culmination of this overall problematic attitude of the opposition party was yesterday’s aversion to Mr. Panagiotis Vlachos, PASOK’s executive, on Blue Sky TV, where he supported with incredible lightness that “it is worse to attend the event”.
That is to say, it is unacceptable the meeting of Ms Lampsa with the Turkish Cypriot leader of the pseudo -state, with the participation of an open event in Greece.
Even now, with such a long delay, we are expecting PASOK a more responsible reaction to such a serious issue. “
What happened
Easy of confrontation between the government and PASOK emerged after the visit of the party’s academic and a member of the party’s political council, Polina Lampsa in the occupied with others Members of the “Greek -Turkish Forum”, where they met with the Turkish Cypriot leader of the pseudo -state, Ersin Tatar.
What made an alien impression was not so much the meeting but the fact that they were photographed within the alleged “presidential mansion” with the Tatar In front of symbols of the pseudo -state.
Government’s reaction
For his part, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, during yesterday’s briefing by political editors, was asked about it and launched an attack on Harilaou Trikoupi, saying that the photos taken “offend our national claims”.
He went on to say that “it raises any questions that there is no, at least rudimentary, reaction from PASOK, which – especially in recent weeks – has been intense and pompously and accusations from time to time against the government on previous issues on the country’s foreign policy. Let them see their own executive and, indeed, in an important instrument what he did, where he was photographed, where he went. Let them react, let them get a reaction. I don’t know what this reaction will be. I think … at least, let PASOK answer for its executive. “
PASOK’s response
For their part, sources of Harilaou Trikoupis commenting on the report of the government spokesman stressed that this event “PASOK is not represented” and that “neither Mrs Lampsa was involved representing PASOK” but participated in her academic status. “PASOK on foreign policy is expressed by the officials responsible,” they said.
The timing of the case
It all started when Greeks, members of the “Greek -Turkish Forum”, found themselves in the occupied Cyprus and had a meeting in the so -called “presidential” mansion with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
At the end of the meeting, photos were released, by the Turkish Cypriot “Presidency” depicting snapshots of the meeting, in front of symbols of the pseudo -state, something foreigners who visit Tatar do not accept to do. It is worth noting that UN representatives and foreign actors meet the Turkish Cypriot leader in rooms without any symbol.
The delegation that went to the pseudo -state consisted of Ioannis Grigoriadis, head of the Turkish program of ELIAMEP, the internationalist Polina Lampsa, Elias Klis, Ambassador for honor and Petros Liakouras, a professor at the University of Piraeus.
According to a statement by the so -called “Presidency” of the pseudo -state “during the meeting, Mr Tatar praised the work of the forum – which consists of academics and diplomats from Turkey and Greece – emphasizing its importance in promoting mutual understanding between peoples”. As he noted, this project is directly linked to Cyprus and its future.
Tatar presented the position of the Turkish Cypriot side for the Cyprusrepeating his vision for a solution of two states, on the basis of the dominant equality and equal international status.
The debate also raised issues related to cooperation initiatives between the two sides, while the Turkish Cypriot leader expressed concern about “intimidation and arrests” from the “Greek Cypriot side” in relation to immovable property. The latest developments in the wider region have also been examined amid increased geopolitical tension.
There was also a meeting in the so -called “House” of the pseudo -state with various members of the Turkish Cypriot community, who illegally bear the title of “MP”.