With embarrassment the government spokesman, Yannis Economou on whether the Prime Minister's statements about «major differences with Turkey that will be resolved through mutual concessions» constitute a change of doctrine on the Greek-Turkish issue.
In particular, he was asked: «The Prime Minister, in his interview from the Louvre, spoke of major disputes with Turkey, the most important and most important being the delimitation of the maritime zones and that Greece has shown that it can make agreements that include mutual concessions. Has the government moved away from the fixed position that we have one dispute with Turkey, the delimitation of the continental shelf - EEZ, and what are the other major differences?» Mr. Economou replied, «Many times, both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have clarified what are the issues of differences that can be put on the negotiating table. We have not retreated from that consideration and from that reality.».
Asked when the defence assistance between Greece and France will be activated in case of provocations by Turkey (e.g. if we have provocations in the EEZ at 7 nautical miles), Mr.Economou also avoided giving a clear answer and simply noted that «the French President, in his statements, gave an answer to this question. The agreement with France is a huge success that constitutes a strategic upgrade of our country in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time it is an essential first step and a model for Europe's strategic autonomy.».
On the issue of the renewal of the defence agreement with the US and whether the government is negotiating a five-year or indefinite duration, Mr.Economou replied, «Negotiations are ongoing, the Greek government is negotiating the five-year renewal of the agreement and very soon we will have a new one.».
By Spyros Goetzanis
