Short meeting with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan had the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakison the sidelines of the NATO meeting, in The Hague, earlier today.
“Our country is not heterogeneous, I do not comment on the meeting between Trump and Erdogan after yesterday’s dinner. I had the opportunity for a short conversation – earlier today – with Erdogan as it is usually. We raised the issues we had to raise and we are waiting for a convenient date for the Supreme Cooperation Council. I insist, I think we are wrong in these important sessions to deal only with issues related to Greek -Turkish relations. “ The prime minister said, answering a question.
Reportedly the meeting lasted approximately ten minutes.
See Mr Mitsotakis’ statements:
Greece in the first five countries in defense spending
In the decision taken to increase defense spending, the Kyriakos Mitsotakis In the statements he made to reporters after the NATO summit in The Hague.
“Let us stay in the big picture, it has been decided to increase defense spending to 5% by 2035, Greece is already in the first five countries, our defense program can reach 28 billion euros in the next 12 years, the country is actively involved in NATO and at the same time shields the Armed Forces as it is due.” said the prime minister.
For developments in Middle Easthe said: “I was placed for the wider Middle East area, we must return to negotiations, Iran should not acquire nuclear and this is determined through the diplomatic path. I also condemned the terrorist attack on the church in Damascus. “
For them Defensive costs and his 5%target, the prime minister said that “5% breaks into two pieces. It is 3.5% of tough defense spending and 1.5% costs that can be associated in a broad sense with the country’s defensive shielding, for example civil protection costs. Greece will achieve this goal with certainty. I read the public announcement that binds all countries, it seems strange to be exceptions. I didn’t see any exception to the announcement. In an alliance everyone must participate as they refer to them. Many countries were shaking their finger in Greece, spending 2% of GDP and in the fiscal crisis and spent 1% themselves. We make our debt to the alliance and, above all, to Greek citizens to have strong deterrent power. Our goal is not to spend money and give it to some partners abroad, but to develop a dynamic ecosystem of defense industry in the country that will also have export activity. “
The Turkish -tourished memorandum unacceptable and non -existent
For developments with the LibyaMr. Mitsotakis said that “For Greece the issue of Libya has two aspects. The first has to do with the unacceptable, illegal and non -existent Turkolibyan Memorandum, “adding that” Greece will ask and, I believe, will succeed again in the conclusions of what we had put in December 2019. That the Memorandum is unlawful, it is not the case. It is important that this repetition will be completely clear to Libya. “
For refugee flows, especially from Libyahe said that “The second issue is about increased refugee flows, especially from western Libya, which is not simply concerned. Taking specific measures are required, which we already take. We raised the issue at the Council, contacted Ursula von der Laien on Sunday and I am glad that in the letter he always sends to the Council, he included the issue of Libya on issues for discussion. We want to work with the Libyan authorities to reset, if possible, these flows. Greece will use the means at its disposal so that it can make life to traffickers who want to carry oppressed people to Crete extremely difficult. And that is why we send Navy ships outside the Libyan territorial waters, so that we can send a clear message to these traffickers that we are not here a vineyard. The wolf cannot be enjoyed in the bump because we have a stir in the area. “
“We have to work with the Libyan authorities, so that these boats, the fishing fisheries do not even leave the coast of Libya or when they sail, return to the coast of Libya while in the country’s territorial waters.” The prime minister added.
To place it Donald Trump Regarding Article 5 of the NATO Articles of Association, the Prime Minister said: “I heard the US president be fully committed to the core of the alliance, Article 5 is still in force, is the basis of the Alliance. Trump was right when he was pushing other countries to spend more on defense, Greece had already undertaken its obligations. The US president must feel satisfied with the result. “
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