The former Prime Minister first states that «I have long expressed my concerns about our national issues. Unfortunately, developments have vindicated my positions. As a former Prime Minister, I have no right to remain silent on behalf of the country. That is why I bring two important issues to the attention of the Greek people and demand immediate answers from the government. First, as it has been revealed, in the contract between Greece and the Chevron consortium for exploration and mining in the marine areas of Crete, terms were added at the last minute that implicitly but clearly indicate the potential cession of our sovereign rights» and asks «how can these terms of the contract be reconciled with the government's celebrations of a vote of confidence in Greek positions?».
«Are we legislating for possible withdrawal from our plots?»
It then points out that the contract approved by the Court of Auditors - among other things - provides for «withdrawal of the company from a place that could not be part of the Greek continental shelf or EEZ», «areas where the Hellenic Republic will not have sovereign rights», «loss of a demarcated area», «waiver, even if an exploitation area has been identified». What kind of contract is this? Are we legislating for possible withdrawal from our plots? So Greece is discussing its sovereign rights? With whom? Since when?»
It also states that «the government spokesman of Cyprus last week stated directly that in Kassos there was obstruction of the investigations by Turkey, and that the investigations because of Turkey, mind you, were NOT completed. Foreign Minister Gerapetritis has explicitly stated that “the investigation programme was absolutely completed and there was no retreat whatsoever”. So I ask, clearly: Is Cyprus lying? These are not called “calm waters”.
Antonis Samaras' statement exposes the Mitsotakis government, which must answer for the secret negotiations on issues concerning the country's sovereign rights.
The statement by Samaras
«I have long expressed my concerns about our national issues. Unfortunately, developments have vindicated my positions. As a former Prime Minister, I am not entitled to remain silent about the country. That is why I bring two important issues to the attention of the Greek people and demand immediate answers from the government.
First, as it has been revealed, in the contract between Greece and the Chevron consortium for exploration and mining in the marine areas of Crete, terms were added at the last minute that implicitly but clearly indicate the potential cession of our sovereign rights. And how can these terms of the contract be reconciled with the government's celebrations of a vote of confidence in Greek positions?;
Specifically, the contract approved by the Court of Auditors - among other things - provides for «withdrawal of the company from a place that could not be part of the Greek continental shelf or EEZ», «areas where the Hellenic Republic will not have sovereign rights», «loss of a demarcated area», «abandonment, even if an exploitation area has been identified».
What kind of contract is this? Are we legislating for possible withdrawal from our land? So Greece is discussing its sovereign rights? With whom? Since when?;
Secondly, the government spokesman of Cyprus last week stated directly that in Kassos there was obstruction of the investigations by Turkey, and that the investigations because of Turkey, mind you, were NOT completed. Foreign Minister Gerapetritis has explicitly stated that “the investigation programme was absolutely completed and there was no retreat whatsoever”.
So I ask, clearly: Is Cyprus lying?;
These are not called “calm waters”.».
