Ο Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepted at the Maximos Mansion a ministerial delegation from Bulgaria, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Arsen Vassiliev and during his introductory statement, he spoke about the developments in the Ukraine, underlining that Russia's move yesterday «flagrantly violates the International Law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements. And, like any revisionist initiative, it undermines international stability and progress.
The Prime Minister noted that Greece respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states and added that «Greece therefore unequivocally condemns actions that are contrary to these values and as a member state of the European Union and NATO is already coordinating with its partners so that its reaction is common and substantial».
He also said that our country has an additional reason for concern and monitoring of the developments: the protection and support of the Greek community in Ukraine and the large community in Ukraine. Mariupol.
«The world community has an opportunity to resist the power of arms, the challenge to borders and international treaties. The civilisation and achievements of the 21st century must not allow the world to return to the violence of other eras and to armed solutions to inter-state disputes. It is on this front that the responsibility of governments and peoples is now being judged», the Prime Minister said, while he also spoke about the possible consequences for the energy sector.
«I want to assure all Greek citizens that we as a government have taken all necessary measures to ensure that the country's gas supply remains secure and continues uninterrupted,» Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, adding that Greece is willing to assist Bulgaria in the field of energy sufficiency.
Below is the Prime Minister's full statement:
«Mr. Vice President of the Government, I welcome you with great pleasure to Greece and I am sure that you will have very useful and constructive discussions with your Greek counterparts.
I am particularly pleased that my visit to Sofia, immediately after the formation of the new government, marked a more dynamic phase in our already excellent bilateral relations.
And this is the context of your visit today. A visit which is taking place at a particularly critical time and which requires the coordination and cooperation of the member states of the European Union and NATO.
Yesterday's recognition by Russia of the unilateral declaration of «independence» by the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk is a flagrant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements. And, like any revisionist initiative, it undermines international stability and progress.
Greece, as a fundamental principle, respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states. It therefore unequivocally condemns actions that are contrary to these values and, as a member state of the European Union and NATO, is already coordinating with its partners so that its response is common and substantial.
I have already contacted the President of the European Commission, Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, in this direction.
Our country has an additional reason for concern and monitoring of developments: the protection and support of the Greek community in Ukraine and the large community in Mariupol, which has a presence of more than 2,000 years in the region and for which we are working.
The world community has an opportunity to resist the power of arms, the challenge to borders and international treaties. The civilisation and achievements of the 21st century must not allow the world to return to the violence of other eras and to armed solutions to inter-state disputes.
It is on this front that the responsibility of governments and peoples is now being judged.
And as regards the possible consequences of the escalating crisis, particularly in the energy sector, I want to assure all Greek citizens that we as a government have taken all the necessary measures to ensure that the country's gas supply remains secure and continues uninterrupted.
And at this point I would like to assure you that Greece is willing to assist our friend Bulgaria also in the field of energy sufficiency.»
