Government spokespersonPavlos Marinakis condemned PASOK’s move to make public details of yesterday’s closed-door meeting of the Committee on Institutions and Transparency, to which the head of the National Intelligence Service had been summoned.
“This is unprecedented; we’re talking about a committee where proceedings are confidential, yet PASOK is leaking details—a party that supposedly champions the rule of law and the constitution. Not even SYRIZA did this as the official opposition. It invoked part of what the EYP director said—according to PASOK. Beyond the criminal and disciplinary aspects of the issue, there is something chilling.
It concerns the head of the EYP. It is a dangerous practice, and while they point the finger at the rule of law, their audacity and irresponsibility know no bounds. “Do not believe what a party leaks based on its own interests; beyond the illegal aspect, there is also the subjective aspect,”said the government spokesperson.
Regarding Nikos Dendias ’s statement that he was never a proponent of “calm waters” with Turkey, Pavlos Marinakis noted:
“The basic foreign policy line of the country, which all members of the government serve, is a proud, strong Greece that is constantly growing, believes in dialogue, and any calm waters do not constitute any retreat or naivety. What we have achieved under Kyriakos Mitsotakis in foreign policy matters is more than all previous governments combined have managed to accomplish. Nikos Dendias is the Minister of Defense and holds a specific, pivotal role.
This position is consistent with his very important and pivotal duties and, in fact, constitutes a very important and integral part of a broader strategy. The government believes in dialogue and good neighborly relations; above all, it prioritizes international law, yet it neither backs down nor is it naive. It looks to the future with pride and optimism, without false patriotism, but with substance.”
Asked to comment on Antonis Samaras ’s statement regarding the legislation of the “Blue Homeland” in Turkey, the government spokesperson stated:
“So far, we are talking about rumors and media reports regarding a process that appears to be subject to differing opinions. If such a move were to take place, it would constitute a unilateral action with no legal effect under international law. In any case, we must not rush, because when we rush, we expose ourselves, and we must not shoot ourselves in the foot. Without false patriotic rhetoric, we have proven that we are making Greece grow.”
Regarding a report in the newspaper TA NEA, according to which the delimitation of the EEZ with Albania is proceeding and Nikos Dendias will travel to Tirana on Monday, Pavlos Marinakis stated:
“The matter of the joint agreement to refer the delimitation of the two countries’ EEZs was suspended following a decision by the Albanian Constitutional Court. The matter is being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; there have been no recent developments on this issue. It goes without saying that any progress depends on respect for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania.”