A new outbreak of confrontation between the government and PASOK emerged after the visit of the party’s academic and member of the party’s political council, Polina Lampsa in the occupied territories 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”.