Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis responded to opposition comments and criticism of the government over the ratification of the Turkey-Libya memorandum by Libya’s House of Representatives, during a briefing for political editors.
“These views, particularly when circulated by the domestic political system — fortunately, they do not represent the majority — are truly puzzling. How is it possible that, when everyone outside Greece calls something invalid, baseless and illegal, part of the political system at home tries to oppose the government by adopting invalid positions, instead of that being the only reaction? Such an approach is not helpful, and I say this without any desire to create tension.”
Responding to Nikos Androulakis’s reference to a “diplomatic defeat” and “shallow foreign policy”, Mr Marinakis said: “Foreign policy is not conducted by the methods of an armchair coach, which a large part of the opposition appears to be following. Without realising it, we are indirectly legitimising an unfounded agreement between other states that no one else recognises. As for what this government has done, let me give you a few examples: casus belli — we have been hearing about it for more than 30 years, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the first prime minister to raise the issue of ending it. Also, under his tenure, Greece extended its territorial waters in the Ionian, we signed EEZ agreements with Italy and Egypt, and maritime spatial planning moved forward. Why had none of this been done in previous years?”
Defending Gerapetritis and Bekiris
The government spokesman also made clear that “there is absolutely no political issue with Mr Gerapetritis, and during his tenure we have achieved things not seen in all the previous years”.
On the case involving Mr Bekiris, an aide to Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mr Marinakis said: “There is no issue. He decided to take the legal route to address the reports. Since he chose to respond through the courts, there is no need for us to say anything more. As he himself has said, he chose to volunteer.”
On the scandal in Greek basketball, the government spokesman said: “A complaint was made to the Ministry of Sport in April, and the evidence was immediately forwarded to the competent authorities. Once the judiciary takes up the case, we have no right to say anything.”