Category: Government

Thank you very much. It is a great pleasure and honour to be hosted here in Sochi today. Indeed, during your last visit to Athens in October, I had expressed the wish for us to meet, if you would like to, in this area where people of Greek origin live.

Greeks came to this region 2,500 years ago and I think they contributed significantly to the creation of what is the great Russia today. I will meet with them after my visit and that is a great pleasure for me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

I also thank you for noting that Greece, Byzantium, introduced the transformation of the Greek alphabet into a Slavic one  many centuries ago. Your reference to history highlights the depth of our relationship. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity for me to discuss with you both bilateral and regional issues hoping for us to establish an even stronger relationship and better understand the broader issues.

Thank you again for this important opportunity.

In two interviews today, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis joined the Prime Minister in expressing in the clearest manner Greece’s firm condemnation of the forced landing of an Athens-Vilnius Ryanair flight in Minsk, which resulted in the arrest of the journalist, Roman Protasevich.

In particular, in an interview on Open TV’s morning news program “Ora Ellados” with journalists Akis Pavlopoulos and Dora Koutrokoi, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that “the Lukashenko regime operates on Soviet models of the 1970s and 1980s, namely with Cold War practices that are unacceptable in 2021”. He added that very tough measures against Belarus are expected to be introduced at today’s European Council.

On the same issue, in an interview on ERT’s show “Syndeseis” with Costas Papachlimintzos and Alexandra Kaimenou, the Alternate Minister spoke of an unprecedented action, noting that there has been a massive outrage against Belarus by all members of the European Council and that sanctions including flight ban are under consideration.

Asked about the Conference on the Future of Europe, Mr. Varvitsiotis referred to the special event that will take place at Zappeion next Thursday, in the presence of the European leadership. As he mentioned, this is about a double celebration, that is, for the 40 years of Greece in EU but also for the beginning of the dialogue for the Future of Europe. He added that it is very important for citizens to voice their ambition for a Europe of tomorrow and invited them to participate through the open dialogue platform available on the European Union website (https://futureu.europa.eu/).

“The future of Europe in the hands of its citizens”

On May 28, 1979, Konstantinos Karamanlis signed at Zappeion the treaty of Greece’s accession to the EEC and changed the destiny of our Nation forever. Next Thursday, at the same historical site, we shall welcome the European leadership to celebrate the 40 years of living together in Europe.

During these four decades, Greece has changed considerably. It developed and matured, alongside Europe and within it. Acting in its natural European space, it built stable democratic institutions, established itself as a modern state governed by the rule of law, achieved economic growth and became a pillar of security, involved in international developments.

Being one of the oldest members of the Union, Greece experienced and promoted the whole process of the European Unification, this “revolutionary and original idea”, as Konstantinos Karamanlis put it.

Greece’s accession marked the transformation of the European Union from a geographical area into a geopolitical entity. Greece has always been active within the Union and has put its stamp on flagship policies. It supported the Enlargement, achieved the accession of Cyprus, supported the Mutual Assistance Clause, and fought hard for cohesion policies, from the Integrated Mediterranean Programs to the Recovery Fund. During the pandemic Greece pioneered the pan-European vaccination program and the Green Digital Certificate. Our country effectively guarded Europe’s borders, whenever needed. In short, Greece has always been a vibrant part of European history. Although our relations with the Union reached breaking point, in the end we always opted for “more Europe”.

But in a rapidly changing world, what kind of Europe do Greeks want? The Conference on the Future of Europe is the most appropriate, immediate and up-to-date framework for responding. We ask citizens to discuss the day after. Local government, academic institutions, social and professional bodies and Civil Society have a European democratic platform at their disposal which allows them to co-create. Brussels should remain silent and listen.

We have already established digital infrastructures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to facilitate a nationwide dialogue. We have put forward a concrete proposal for an open, secure and friendly Europe with employment opportunities, “green” growth and a digital future. A Europe that respects the disagreements of the smaller states, is not wary of their essential safeguard (veto right), but uses it to reach broader consensus. Democratic legitimacy, redefining its role, renewing the trust of its citizens are just some of the benefits Europe is expecting to reap from this ambitious process.

Greece, with the institutional experience of 40 years, the lessons learned from the recent crises, its comparative advantages and the declared will of the government, can again become the driving force that will assist Europe realise its new role. For this to happen, the voice of its citizens needs to be heard loud and strong. “The future is in your hands”.

Greece condemns in the most categorical manner the act of state hijacking that took place today and resulted in the forced landing in Minsk, Belarus of a Ryanair aircraft operating the FR4978 flight from Athens to Vilnius.

The aircraft had a total of 171 passengers, 11 of whom are Greek citizens. This act, which endangered the lives of all passengers, is unacceptable.

We call for the immediate release of the aircraft and all passengers so they can reach their final destination.

We condemn the illegal arrest of the Belarusian activist Roman Protasevich, who is threatened with the death penalty.

Mr. Protasevich was a member of the delegation of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who had recently attended the Delphi Economic Forum.

For Greece, defending fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights is a matter of principle.

We believe that practices of this kind, that are reminiscent of a different era and are not befitting any civilized state, should not go unanswered.

The Greek side maintains close coordination with the other EU Member States and expects that this issue will be thoroughly considered at the forthcoming European Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias will travel to Sochi, the Russian Federation, on Monday morning, May 24, where he will meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Talks are expected to focus on issues of bilateral and multilateral co-operation, as well as on regional developments.

Statements to the press have been scheduled at the end of their meeting (at about 13.20).

Following his bilateral contacts, the Minister will be given a tour of the Sirius education center in Sochi.

Afterwards, the Foreign Minister will depart for the second part of his visit, to Anapa and Gelendzhik, towns on the northern Black Sea coast with a long-standing Greek presence. There, he is scheduled to participate in events on the same day and the next day, Tuesday 25 May and have a series of meetings with prominent members of the diaspora, representatives of the Greek communities, local officials and businessmen.