The Vice -President of the Government spoke in the context of “Nisyros Dialogues 2025”
Six specific steps taken in recent years in foreign policy that reinforce Greece’s position, the Deputy Prime Minister said. Kostis Hatzidakis Speaking in the context of “Nisyros 2025” dialogues.
“Sometimes we tend to be remembered as a country. Everywhere there are “dragons” that chase us. There are traps everywhere we will fall. I am not saying that we are in a garden with roses, nor that Turkey is insignificant strategically, “Mr. Hatzidakis stressed, responding to the criticism of PASOK President Nikos Androulakis. “But we must not only forget that Greece is a member of the European Union, while Turkey is not. And we must not forget the successes of foreign policy, which are not only the successes of the Prime Minister or the Government. They are the successes of all Greeks. “
And specifically mentioned as follows:
1. The demarcation of the maritime zones with Italy and Egypt, “which creates a precedent in relation to other countries”.
2. Strengthening the armed forces in the air and at sea.
3. Chevron, which is the second largest internationally oil company, for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete, “in the area where the illegal Turkolibyan memorandum is in the area”. Mr. Hatzidakis noted that this interest was expressed after President Trump was swearing.
4. The European Council’s decisions last week reminding that the Turkish Memorandum is illegal, but also the government’s message to Libya that any financial support of that country passes through Athens. In any case, he recalled that the Libyan notice for hydrocarbons research has remained in the middle line, that is, it has not used this illegal Turkolibyan memorandum.
5. The marine spatial planning, presented and forwarded to the European Commission. And greeting on all sides as an important step forward.
6. The recent categorical assurance from the Egyptian government, with an article by the Egyptian Foreign Minister that nothing changes in relation to the religious and worship character of the Sinai Monastery. “And even more so that there is complete respect for the government of Egypt and the monastery and in relations obviously with Greece.”
Asked about the electrical interconnection with Cyprus, Mr. Hatzidakis said: “Similar discussions like the ones we do now about the interconnection, we did a few months ago for the Turkish Memorandum and the strength of the south of Crete, as well as the marine. We don’t do them anymore. Something I want to say with that, keep it. “
Referring to relations with Turkey, Mr. Hatzidakis said that our direction is a political peaceful coexistence, but based on respect for international law. “We go step by step. As you know the tango wants two. We will remain committed to this policy of calm relations between us, but under the condition of mutual respect and respect for Turkey, international law. “
“We must steadily shield our defense not to forget that the best shielding of both defense and country is the progress of the economy. The stronger our economy, the faster the growth is, the more we support the private sector to mobilize the economy even more, the more substantial will be the support of defense, “Mr Hatzidakis stressed.
Finally, in response to Mr Androulakis’ objections, the Vice President of the Government said:
On OPECEPE’s issue: “I do not hide the responsibilities of the New Democracy. But would I like to tell us, wherever it comes from, things that have been going on for PASOK on this issue better? There were no “overlooking”? Were there no statements about sheep, goats and so on in much larger numbers? Or under SYRIZA with the two ministers of rural development that passed have we had such issues? Wasn’t anyone who has pastures without sheep subsidized for the first time?
Of course, no one should feel proud of those who ruled about this situation. Even though it is not a Greek sad privilege. It is also happening in other European countries. However, we cannot continue this debate: on the one hand the “absolutely innocent” and on the other the “absolutely guilty” especially on the issue. And one would expect PASOK to have a greater restraint. “
On the island, according to the EIA RES, he recalled that the government was presented by the government three new EUR 8 billion budget funds last week corresponding to half a NSRF or half a recovery fund. One of them, the Islands Fund Fund only applies to Greece, is the result of the negotiation of the Mitsotakis government and includes extremely important actions for islanders.
“For example, we have the electrical interconnection of the South Aegean and the Northern Aegean, which is an extremely important work in terms of economic and environmental side. We have the construction of dams, which will be included in the overall plan for water management, but are of great importance to our islands, with money and the European Union. And we also have desalination projects, which will proceed to a large scale, as a matter of priority on our islands, and this also comes to support the islands’ perspective, the prospect of tourism and of course the quality of life of the residents, “Mr Hatzidakis concluded.