Chaired by Alexis Tsipras The ... met SYRIZA Political Center – Progressive Alliance regarding the upcoming ratification of defense agreement with France. During the meeting, the Al. Tsipras called on the government to take steps, pending its ratification, to make corrections to the wording of Articles 2 and 18—that is, the articles that exclude from the Defense Agreement the maritime economic zones as defined by international law and the deployment of Greek soldiers to war zones such as the Sahel.
At the same time, Alexis Tsipras announced the joint convening of the Parliamentary Group and Political Council of SYRIZA-PS, which will meet next Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Alexis Tsipras's speech in full:
«Mr. Mitsotakis after many reversals which have cost many billions on military equipment that was not a priority and had not been included in any planning by the armed forces or the Parliament, ultimately leads to significant delay a defense agreement with France, hastily and sloppily drafted.
It is true that Our government laid the groundwork starting in 2015 of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, including in the defense sector. It is also a fact that we have begun the negotiations in 2018 regarding the Belhara-class frigates, based on the recommendations of the General Staff.
But we We would never enter into a defense agreement that would leave open the issue of defending our continental shelf and our EEZ, as well as an agreement that would expose Greek forces to missions in war zones far from both Greek and French territory, such as the Sahel.
We would have secured a better—and, above all, cheaper—defense agreement with France much earlier.
In this context, and in light of the Parliament’s ratification of the Agreement next Thursday, we must immediately call on the government to make amends regarding the statements in question in Articles 2 and 18 of the Defense Agreement.
Either they should be changed, or at least there should be a clear clarification.
Through a formal communication from France regarding the defense of our sovereign rights in maritime economic zones defined by international law, to the extent that these are forcibly violated by Turkey.
And at the same time, with an explicit commitment by the Greek government that it will not expose the country to disproportionate risks by sending Greek soldiers to war zones such as Shahel.
Otherwise, SYRIZA-PS will be forced to vote against the Agreement, », leaving the government to bear the burden of responsibility for these two negative forecasts regarding the country's interests all on its own.".
