For over twenty years I have been emphasizing, supporting and insisting on the the absolute necessity of extending our territorial waters to twelve miles, as we are entitled to under the Law of the Sea and the corresponding Greek Law. Similarly, I stress that we must declare the EEZ according to our views.
Ten years ago, in a speech in the Old Parliament, I pointed out that we could set up the «Hydrocarbon Company of the Greek EEZ» and securitize it. In this way we could raise funds from Greeks at home and abroad, with their participation in the share capital, and avoid the memoranda that destroyed the fabric, the flower and the economy of the country.
I have come to the point of invoking the saying «let us hear and not see». But unfortunately, the Governments have only understood and applied the first phrase: «let them stand». And have tried ruthlessly from the Simitis era until today, to destroy me financially, so that my National positions do not bother them.. Result, the Turks gradually moved forward with their plans. And in addition to drilling, they created their «blue» homeland and proceeded to a Turcolibian memorandum. And we are now trying with provisions and legal opinions to prevent what the Turks are gradually creating as acquisitions.
And I, on the other hand, did not hear. Let them at least listen, even at this moment, to the Turks! Mr Cavusoglu informs us that they will soon declare their own EEZ in the Mediterranean! Which will extend from six miles of the Greek coast, the islands of Rhodes, Karpathos, Kasos, Crete, up to six miles of Cyprus! And in this area, we were told by the ... honorable Mr. Tsavousoglou, that Greek fishermen will not be allowed to fish for «Turkish» fish. But the clever Turk did not announce that he will proceed to declare a Turkish EEZ in the Aegean Sea, as Turkish fishing boats are fishing there without any hindrance. Two kilometres off Mount Athos, up to one kilometre from the port of Karpathos.
Following the above, I once again sound the alarm and call upon the Greek Government, with a sense of responsibility for the debt it owes to the present and the future of the Homeland, to History, to Honor and to our Culture,
TO THE IMMEDIATE EXTENSION OF OUR TERRITORIAL WATERS TO TWELVE MILES AND THE IMMEDIATE DECLARATION OF THE GREEK AZORES FROM THE EVROS TO CYPRUS.
THARSEEN CHRI.
By Prodromos S. Emfietzoglou
